Games, games, and more games! When nothing else works, a classic game students are familiar with is Jeopardy! This traditional game show format has proven to be a dynamic tool for increasing engagement, encouraging participation, and promoting a deeper understanding of the material. The game’s competitive nature captures students’ interest and motivates them to actively engage with the material, making a review day more exciting. Here are some things that I like about this game.

Forcing Everyone to Participate and Read

Unlike other games where only a few students may actively participate and collaborate, Jeopardy requires everyone to be on their toes. Each question demands attention, compelling every student to think critically, answer, and contribute to their team’s success. 

Developing the Art of Circumlocution

Jeopardy challenges students to recall information and hone their circumlocution skills. In the game, I describe specific terms without using the exact words, leading the students to the correct answer. It also helps students to ask questions in the target language. 

Effective Review Tool

The competitive aspect motivates students to revisit their notes and study materials and collaborate with peers to succeed in the game. This revisiting process solidifies their understanding of the material, making it an ideal tool for exam preparation.

Before we started, I explained the format of the game. I showed students videos of Jeopardy Junior or Jeopardy National College Championship. 

I teach in the target language: What is…? Who is…?

I explain the rules, and I do a practice round with current events and celebrity questions.

Playing the game

I give students a worksheet that I got from Stephanie Howell on the app formely known as Twitter. to record their answers. Unfortunately, some students will only pay attention if they must turn in something at the end of class. 

Set up the groups- I prefer groups of no more than four students. Groups select a team captain or the buzzer. 

Students are allowed to use their notes. 

I created the game using Factile, but I have used a slideshow to make the questions in the past. This user-friendly website enables teachers to design customized Jeopardy games with ease. The platform’s ability to accommodate multiple teams simultaneously enhances the overall experience, allowing for broader participation and teamwork. There’s a free version and a paid version.