Uno-Great Fun To Play At Any Age !

Uno is a great tool to help teach English as a Second Language.

We have been using the Uno pack almost from the start. A wonderful way to teach colours, numbers and expressions. By now, all the different kids can describe each card they use in minute detail.

We tend to have a democracy of sorts in our lesson and usually the kids tell us what they want to do or play. At times it seems like a reverse dictatorship, as the kids can be rather adamant.

Bob was having an Uno-duel with one of the little girls ( five years old ). At first, Bob kept back all the ' interesting ' cards. You know, plus 4, miss a turn and change direction. He didn't want to upset her by winning...That is until he realized that he was dealing with a professional Uno player !

It was comical to watch. Bob studiously considered his cards, while she multi-tasked and kept on drawing a picture at the same time. When she cunningly kept the plus 4 as her penultimate card, the penny dropped for Bob. Game two. Now Bob wanted several re-matches to assuage his ego. No good, she won every game but one...could she have had pity on Bob ?

In the past, when Bob or anyone else had dealt me an ' interesting ' card, I sort of said " Oh no ! " in a slightly theatrical voice. Well, sitting next to the two of them, I now and again heard the little girl say to Bob; " Oh no " pitch perfect.

As almost an aside ( or stroke of genius ) I have tried to teach them to say ' please ' and
' thank you ' in English. Imagine my pride, when the little girl rushed up to her Gran and asked her if she knew how to say ' please ' and ' thank you ' in English. Before the Gran could answer, she proudly told her the correct words...

Biggi