Using games to teach spanish as a foreign language in one-on-one sessions with young learners

Abstract

This research explores games as a teaching strategy used by private tutors to teach Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) to children between the ages of eight and eleven in Istanbul, Turkey. A case study was conducted through observations, diary entries, and interviews in order to examine the effect of games in private SFL tutoring. The data obtained were analyzed using the inductive approach proposed by Creswell (2012) in order to understand the information from the point of view of private SFL tutors. The results suggest that although children enjoy games in private classes, the level of interest varies depending on the type of game and the student's learning style. In addition, attitudes towards the growth of Spanish teaching and learning in Turkey were identified, as well as the reasons and consequences of being a SFL tutor in that country.