ESL Games: Same o’ Same o’

The Game: Same o’ Same o’ is a game where you try to match your answer with someone else’s to score a point. This game, in particular, helps students review vocabulary. Using games in the ESL classroom, in general, “[help] the students relax and have fun with learning. It helps them learn and retain new words more easily by enhancing students’ use of English in a flexible, communicative way” (Asian EFL Journal, Dec. 2003, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen and Khuat Thi Thu Nag).

Materials

1. Index cards (100 or more)
2. Markers
3. Tablet or whiteboard/markers for scoring
4. Clipboards (one per student)/paper/pen or pencil

How to Play

1. The index cards are shuffled and placed face down on the table.
2. Each student playing has a clipboard, paper, and pen or pencil.
3. The game is best played with 4-6 players.
4. Players take turns flipping an index card over.
5. Each student in the group who is playing the game writes his or her best answer down using the paper and clipboard.
6. The results are shared in front of the whole group.
7. Students having the same answer (e.g., Same’o Same’o) each earn 1 point.
8. Students can keep track of their own points or one person can be designated the score keeper.
9. The first player to earn 6 points is the winner.
10. There can be more than one answer that is “tied.” Everyone who has a “shared” answer receives a point.

How to Make It

1. The teacher, with the help of students, can brainstorm various categories to be written on the index cards.
2. Use at least 100 different categories.
3. One category is written on each card.
4. Superlatives work well (e.g.. the fastest ___; the tallest ___; the smallest ___, the oldest ___).
5. This is a great way to incorporate a review of vocabulary and concepts.
6. You can use the same superlative with many nouns (i.e. the fastest land animal; the fastest form of transportation; the fastest runner; the fastest mammal; the fastest bird, etc.)

Variations

1. A timer/clock can be added, whereby the players need to write their answers down within a limited time frame.
2. The game can be played with partners.
3. The number of points needed to “win” the game can be increased or decreased depending on time constraints, ability of students, etc.
4. The points earned for the same answers can be changed to reflect: 1 point awarded each for the same answer between two students (as usual); 2 points awarded each for the same answer among three students; 3 points awarded each for the same answer among four students, etc.