A child cannot learn to form words in a new language without first understanding the structure of that language through listening. With listening comprehension games, you can teach a child to recognize the patterns that sentences follow, how to respond to speech by detecting the intentions of the speaker through her tone and structure, and understand the meaning of words through the sounds they make. Just like learning to read, a child who is learning how to understand a language must be able to decipher the sound of each letter and how, depending on how those letters are combined, they create an entire word with a specific meaning.
Although this game seems very simple, it is an effective tool in teaching listening comprehension. To play all you'll need is a clear play space and a list of commands you'd like the kids to perform. Prepare a sheet of paper with commands that will prove at least somewhat useful in the child's school and home life, and yet be simple enough for them to understand, such as: "Simon says stand perfectly still," or "Simon says clean off your desk." As the school year goes on, add more difficult tasks with multiple steps. You can either have a designated Simon Says playtime or use it spontaneously throughout the school day to get the children to pay attention to special commands.
This interactive game will help children learn to listen to, internalize and then transfer information. Assuming there are about 20 students in the classroom, you will have one group of 10 students gather around in a circle and then have a second group of 10 repeat the same process when the first group is finished. You will sit between two students and relay a message into the first student's ear. The message will then be passed clockwise down the circle and eventually make it back to your ear. At the end of the game you will reveal whether the students listened closely enough to relay the correct message. When the students develop more advanced listening skills, play the game with all of the students in the classroom at once.
This game should be used with more advanced students who have already learned how to write. Each student will have a piece of paper and a pencil ready while you select a short story to read. Choose a story that is simple in language but rich in detail and events. Instruct your students to write down what happens throughout the story as best as they can while you're reading the story to them very slowly. After you've finished reading, go down the rows and ask each student a probing or clarification question. Ask students things like, "What was the main character's name?" and "What happened after...." Make sure to ask each student something different, and if he can't answer, help him along by going through his notes with him until he can recall it.