Bingo Teaches English in Japan

by Hollie Sanders

If any of you are familiar with the history of bingo, you will know that it was used as a teaching aid as early as the 18^th Century in Europe. Bingo was used to teach language and mathematics and today the popular game is still being used worldwide, not only as a fun game but as a serious teaching aid. Apparently Alphabet Bingo is one of the favourite ways to learn English for Japanese Elementary School Students.

It is interesting to note that the Website for English teachers in Japan, ELT News, contains and entire section for Japanese teachers to use, that outlines the way Alphabet bingo should be played by the children, and it is in every way the same as we in bingo circles playing with numbers would play the game.

Even to the extent that the last child to cover his or her bingo letters has to shout out BINGO! The winner then becomes the bingo caller for the next game. In Japan, Alphabet bingo is used to teach beginners their ABC’s and also encourages them to speak out by taking turns at being the letter caller which assists from both a visual and aural viewpoint.