Calling all educators! Whether you teach ESL, TESOL, or English language learners, we have the perfect activity for your classroom. MASH is a classic future-telling game that will assist in both language output and input, making it an ideal addition to your teaching toolkit. Let's explore the top five reasons why you should use MASH in your classroom.

1. Simple Gameplay

One of the biggest challenges in language teaching is finding activities that don't require lengthy explanations or eat up precious classroom time. MASH solves this problem beautifully. The game is intuitive and easy to understand, even for students with limited English proficiency.

Simply download the MASH app on your students' classroom iPads or tablets, and let them get started either solo or with a friend or two. The game's straightforward mechanics mean students can begin playing almost immediately, maximizing your valuable instructional time. No need for complex rules or lengthy tutorials—MASH is ready to use right out of the box.

This simplicity also makes MASH perfect for warm-up activities, filler exercises, or as a reward for completing other assignments. Students can jump in and start learning without the barrier of complicated instructions.

2. Accessible to Learners of All Levels

Every classroom has students at different proficiency levels, and MASH accommodates this beautifully. The game offers flexible input methods that adapt to your students' language abilities:

• For advanced learners: Students can type in their own responses, practicing spelling, grammar, and creative expression in English.
• For intermediate learners: Students can choose from random selections that they may understand but may not be able to express on their own, helping bridge the gap between comprehension and production.
• For beginners: The visual nature of the game and the random selection option provide scaffolding that allows even the newest English learners to participate meaningfully.

This built-in differentiation means you can use MASH with mixed-level classes without having to create separate activities for different groups. Every student can participate at their own level while still engaging with the same core activity.

3. Vocabulary Building

MASH is an exceptional tool for vocabulary acquisition and reinforcement. The game naturally incorporates vocabulary across multiple semantic fields, making it the perfect accompaniment to your existing curriculum. Here's how you can integrate MASH with your vocabulary lessons:

• Occupations: When studying jobs and careers, MASH provides context for words like "doctor," "teacher," "engineer," and more. Students see these words in a fun, memorable context.
• Numbers: The game naturally incorporates numbers (how many children, ages, etc.), providing authentic practice with numerical vocabulary.
• Places: Whether discussing dwellings (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House) or locations, MASH reinforces geographical and housing vocabulary.
• Descriptive language: Students encounter and use adjectives, helping them build their descriptive vocabulary.
• Future tense: The game's structure naturally introduces and practices future tense constructions ("You will live in...", "You will marry...").

You can use MASH as a vocabulary review activity, as a way to introduce new thematic vocabulary, or as a fun reinforcement tool after a vocabulary lesson. The game makes vocabulary practice feel like play, not work.

4. Sharing Activity

One of the most powerful aspects of MASH for language learning is its built-in sharing component. Once students complete their MASH story, they can read it aloud to the group, creating multiple opportunities for language practice:

• Reading practice: Students practice pronunciation, intonation, and reading fluency as they share their stories.
• Listening comprehension: Other students listen to their classmates' stories, practicing their listening skills in an engaging context.
• Speaking practice: The stories naturally elicit laughter, questions, and classroom discussion, encouraging spontaneous speech production.
• Peer interaction: Students ask follow-up questions, make comments, and engage in authentic conversation about the stories.
• Cultural exchange: Students share their choices and preferences, providing opportunities for cultural learning and understanding.

This sharing component transforms MASH from a simple game into a comprehensive language learning activity that targets multiple skills simultaneously. The humorous and engaging nature of the stories ensures that students are motivated to participate and communicate.

5. FUN!

Perhaps the most important reason to use MASH in your classroom is simple: it's fun! When students are having fun, they're more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to retain what they've learned. MASH creates a positive learning environment where students look forward to practicing English.

The game's playful nature reduces anxiety around language production. Students who might be hesitant to speak in other contexts often find themselves eagerly sharing their MASH stories. This confidence boost can carry over into other classroom activities, creating a more positive overall learning experience.

What could be better than students learning and having fun at the same time? MASH proves that educational activities don't have to be boring to be effective.

Practical Classroom Tips

Here are some practical ways to incorporate MASH into your ESL or TESOL classroom:

• Warm-up activity: Start class with a quick MASH game to get students speaking and engaged.
• Vocabulary review: Use MASH after teaching a vocabulary unit to reinforce new words in context.
• Pair work: Have students play in pairs, encouraging conversation and collaboration.
• Writing extension: After playing, have students write a paragraph or short story based on their MASH results.
• Presentation practice: Use MASH stories as a low-stakes way for students to practice presenting in front of the class.
• Grammar focus: Use the stories to practice specific grammar points, such as future tense, conditional sentences, or descriptive language.

Get Started Today

MASH is available on iOS and the web, making it accessible on virtually any device you have in your classroom. The game is free to play online, and the app versions offer additional features and offline play.

Download MASH today for your ESL or TESOL classroom and watch your students engage with English in a whole new way. You'll discover that sometimes the best educational tools are the ones that make learning feel like play.

---

Ready to bring MASH into your classroom? Download MASH for iOS or play online for free today!