| Any language which is widely used beyond the | | | | as a Second Language" (sometimes also known |
| population of native speakers is known as a | | | | as "English as a Foreign Language" - abbreviated |
| "lingua franca". Such languages are widely used, | | | | to "ESL" or "EFL") - to be useful. |
| for example, in business and commerce, science, | | | | Teachers of ESL courses will generally aim to |
| diplomacy and culture. During ancient times and | | | | impart into their students a good knowledge of |
| right up until the late Middle Ages, two of the | | | | both spoken and written English. This will be done |
| main lingua franca in Europe were Latin (mainly in | | | | through various classroom activities including |
| Western Europe) and Greek (mainly in Eastern | | | | speaking, reading and writing the language, as well |
| Europe). With the rise up of the Hapsburgs, | | | | as classroom games. |
| Spanish became the language of international | | | | One particular game that is increasingly popular in |
| diplomacy, until it in turn was displaced in this field | | | | ESL courses is bingo. Bingo is ideal for teaching |
| by French. Many other languages have at times | | | | situations because it is very easy for students to |
| sometimes severed as lingua franca for | | | | learn and play, because it doesn't require |
| international communication, and some of these | | | | expensive materials, and because it can be |
| include German, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, | | | | adapted to teaching numerous different topics. |
| classical Chinese, and Arabic. Nowadays, because | | | | The game is played in class:- |
| of the former British Empire, the events of World | | | | 1. Before class, the teacher prepares a set of |
| War II, and the huge cultural, economic and | | | | bingo cards (one per student), containing the |
| political influence of the United States of America, | | | | items to be taught or revised. Depending on the |
| English has become the dominant lingua franca of | | | | theme for the lesson, this might include numbers, |
| international commerce, science, technology and | | | | dates, times, or English words (sight words - |
| aviation. Additionally, English has become the | | | | words that can not be sounded out, but are are |
| leading language on the Internet, in part due to | | | | common in the English language, and must be |
| the fact that the Internet was first developed in | | | | recognized to achieve reading fluency - are |
| the United States, in part due to the fact that | | | | particularly popular). Please note: although a small |
| English was already dominant among the scientists | | | | amount of preparation is needed, it is not |
| and technologists who were the first heavy users | | | | something that teachers need not worry much |
| of the Internet, and in part due to massive | | | | about - they can download ready-to-use free |
| influence of technology businesses founded in | | | | bingo printables from the Internet, or they can |
| English-speaking countries (especially the United | | | | purchase low cost bingo card printing software |
| States). | | | | which will allow them to print unlimited quantities |
| Given the importance of English, more and more | | | | of bingo cards on any theme or topic. |
| people are wanting to learn the language. This in | | | | 2. At the start of the class, each student is given |
| turn further entrenches the importance of | | | | a bingo card. The teacher acts as the bingo caller, |
| understanding and speaking English, which | | | | and the students play, either marking off the |
| encourages yet more people to learn English, and | | | | items from their cards, or covering squares with |
| so on. | | | | a coin or counter if you wish to re-use the cards |
| Many non-native speakers are, of course, able to | | | | in a subsequent lesson. |
| pick up some English from hearing and seeing the | | | | Of course, since the purpose of the game is to |
| language in daily use. It's also certainly true that an | | | | practise English, it's very important that all game |
| enormous number of people have learnt some | | | | play and discussion during the game should be |
| English as a result of watching Hollywood movies, | | | | conducted in English! Enterprising teachers can also |
| watching British or American TV programs, or | | | | adapt the game play if they wish - for example, |
| listening to Western popular music. However, | | | | they could require the winning student to read |
| non-native speakers who wish to use English as | | | | out, in English, the items that they have ticked |
| part of their professional life, generally find that | | | | off. |
| more formal education in English - studying "English | | | | |