Have you ever noticed how quickly children master video games controls but struggle to remember English vocabulary? What if learning English felt like palying a video games? What if students begged to practice grammar and vocabulary? What if we could help them develop kindness, teamwork and cofidence?
That exactly what my project "Play with purpose" is all about using digital tools like blooket, baamboozle, classdojo, nearpod, wordwall, etc to teach English as a Foreign Language while nurturing Social Emotional Skills.

In my context, in Tunisia and especially when I talk about my students because they study in a rural school so learning English is difficult for them and my students here struggle with fair of speaking, no motivation because they have not the chance to practice English outside the classroom.

So by using digital tools for gamification in my teaching process transforms the experience of learning English as a foreign language into something engaging, interactive, and effective, all while promoting social-emotional skills in my classroom. Through my project "Play with purpose", I successfully cultivated my students language abilities, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and critical thinking in an enjoyable, student-centred way.

My fun digital toolkits are:
-Blooket; For interactive games with rewards and competition and this turns vocabulary into team adventures. This funny tool encourages communication and enhance self-confidence among students.

-Wordwall; Teaches garmmar and vocabulary funny and builds emotion words, this tool lets students track progress, building confidence and self-awareness.

-Baamboozle; Team quizzes for vocabulary and grammar review. his tool renforce teamwork.

-ClassDojo; For speaking challenges, students here can post voice notes, correct mistakes of posted sentences full of mistakes, and studens can turn English learning into a daily or weekly quests for examle solving a word puzzle and here we can enhance students student's speaking, reading and spelling skills. this funny tool reinforce responsibilityand mindset by awarding points for positive behaviors.
And others like Kahoot and Nearpod.

My implementation steps are:

• Identify objective.
• Choose tool and match activity to digital tool strength.
• Design activities; Incorporate competitions, rewards and collaboration.
• Provide instructions, monitors and feedbacks; ensure students understand rules and goals, track engagement and adjust as needed.

Impact on my students:
My students show greater confidence and self-esteem. They are more willing to participate. I observed a 70% reduction in classroom conflicts, 80% of my students can express their emotions using English Language, 99% of my students felt happy during my English classroom.

My experience of gamifying EFL through fostering SEL using digital tools turns language learning into an emotionally aware, engaging experience. By using digital tools, I effectively design engaging, enjoyable lessons that enhance English skills and life skills

At its heart this is not about technology , it's about remembering that behind every stuggling English learner is a chlid who laps to play.

An EMOS car robot:
can be innovatively programmed to educate primary students in English by integrating movement, emotions, and engaging language activities.

To develop an emotional vocabulary, educators can program the car to show various emoji expressions (e.g., happy, sad, surprised) and pose questions to students such as "What is the robot's emotion?".

The car can be transformed into a storytelling device by setting it to halt at various spots (such as a "forest" or "castle" created from classroom items) and encouraging students to recount sections of a story in English.

Obstacle courses can emphasize prepositions ("Drive beneath the bridge!") or antonyms ("Turn left if ‘large’ is the answer!").

For responses, the vehicle can celebrate with lights and sounds for right answers or motivate retries for errors.

A basic toy car paired with emotion cards can create comparable engagement, even in the absence of sophisticated technology.

-->This method transforms English learning into an engaging, interactive, and enjoyable experience, assisting young learners in associating words with emotions and actions.
Did you use those funny cars in your classroom?

Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have evolved into powerful informal learning spaces, offering accessible and engaging educational content outside traditional classrooms.
TikTok; creators share bite-sized lessons on topics ranging from science to language learning, leveraging the platform’s short-form, algorithm-driven format for quick knowledge absorption.

Meanwhile, YouTube hosts long-form educational channels that provide in-depth explanations, making complex subjects more digestible.

These platforms cater to diverse learning styles TikTok’s rapid, visually stimulating clips appeal to shorter attention spans, while YouTube’s detailed videos support deeper exploration.

However, challenges such as misinformation, algorithmic bias, and varying content quality raise questions about reliability.

Examining case studies from both platforms can reveal how digital informal learning complements (or disrupts) formal education, offering insights into the future of self-directed education in the digital age.

Hello;

My name is Samia MHADHBI and I am a dedicated primary school teacher from Tunisia, proudly serving under the Tunisian Ministry of Education since 2015.

With a strong academic background, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems (2011), a Master’s degree in Audit and Computer Security (2014), and a National License in English Language, Literature, and Civilization (2022).

Beyond the classroom, I am passionate about digital education and have been working as a digital trainer since 2022, conducting workshops to help Tunisian teachers integrate digital tools into their teaching practices. Additionally, I am a certified trainer in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), committed to fostering emotional intelligence and well-being in education.

In 2025, I earned a certificate in Teaching English for Young Learners from George Mason University (USA), further enhancing my expertise in language instruction. That same year, I was honored as an Extraordinary Teacher by the Tunisian Ministry of Education at the Forum of Pedagogical Projects, a recognition that inspires me to continue innovating in education.

Through my work, I strive to combine technology, emotional learning, and language teaching to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for both students and fellow educators.

Integrating yoga and mindfulness into school curricula offers a powerful way to combat rising student stress while enhancing learning outcomes.

Research demonstrates that simple, daily practices like guided breathing exercises and gentle yoga stretches can significantly lower cortisol levels, improve focus, and create calmer classroom environments.

Schools worldwide are finding innovative ways to incorporate these techniques, from brief morning mindful moments and brain breaks between lessons to dedicated yoga classes and teacher training programs. Real-world success stories, prove these methods work.

While challenges like limited time and space exist, practical solutions such as desk yoga and outdoor sessions make implementation feasible.

Beyond stress reduction, these practices cultivate emotional resilience, better behavior, and even physical health benefits, making them a valuable addition to modern education that prepares students academically and emotionally for life's challenges.

Hello I am Samia MHADHBI a primary teacher from Tunisia. My project entitled "Play with purpose" and it's about how gamification using digital tools is a powerful tool to teach English as a Foreign Language for elementary students in Tunisia while nurturing Social Emotional skills.

@Ridafatima95

Hi Sayeda Rida Fatima
I liked to talk avout your project "FRACTION PIZZA PARTY GAME"

I absolutely loved how you introduced the Fraction Pizza Party! First, you brilliantly engaged the class by projecting a video expalining the pizza fraction pricipals , making the concept come alive.

Then, you handed out those adorable cartoon pizza tools
what a creative way to make fractions tangible! your thoughtful group setup didn’t just reinforce math skills; it subtly strengthened their SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) skills through teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

The game’s organized rounds were pure genius, starting with the "Ingredient Round," where students received fraction-labeled toppings to assemble their pizzas.

This step-by-step structure kept the lesson focused while letting collaboration and fun drive the learning.
A masterclass in making math interactive, social, and delicious
I enourage you
Best of Lucks

@Abeer696f5f5f43

Through her project "Turning Trash into Treasure: Using Social Media to Spark Innovation,"

Abeer showcased her significant concern for Pakistan’s environment by mentoring students in examining issues related to pollution, waste management, and sustainable practices.

Her commitment shone through as she motivated them to create inventive eco-friendly business ideas, transforming environmental issues into chances for constructive change.

Establishing a private class channel for her students to promote and showcase on social media, she engaged her students in practical learning while also increasing awareness among a wider audience, motivating others to act.

Her work demonstrates a deep dedication to fostering environmentally aware citizens and entrepreneurs capable of aiding in the creation of a cleaner, greener Pakistan.

She got my vote;

@ateeque-soomro

Mr. Ateeque Soomro's project "Numbers at Work: Life Lessons Through Math" brings numbers to life in an engaging way.
He brought students to math by addressing real-world challenges in an engaging, multi-tiered classroom.
I strongly suggest starting with an animated video at home to introduce fundamental math concepts, equipping students to use their skills in practical, group activities in class.
--->This creative method not only improves mathematical comprehension but also fosters important social and emotional abilities. They foster leadership, communication, and compassion

@Faiza4288c7d8b7

Faiza's project "Explore, Play, Learn: Boost Your Vocabulary via Simulation Games" is an innovative one that combines the immersive power of simulation games with language learning.

The teacher skillfully showcased the use of simulation games to turn vocabulary acquisition into an engaging and interactive adventure.

In this setting, learners can absorb vocabulary organically through context and repetition.

Learning process seems easy.

Her method enhances vocabulary retention, making it quicker, more profound, and more enjoyable than flashcards or textbooks. Thanks, Faiza, for that; I support your project by vote

The Six Thinking Hats method offers a playful yet powerful way to introduce critical thinking to young learners by turning abstract thought processes into colorful, concrete experiences.

For children ages 5-9, we can simplify each hat into an engaging character:

• The fact-finding Detective Hat (white).

• The emotional Heart Hat (red).

• The cautious Safety Hat (black).

• The optimistic Sunshine Hat (yellow).

• The imaginative Inventor Hat (green).

• The organizing Teacher Hat (blue).

Teachers bring these concepts to life through hands-on activities like investigating penguin facts while wearing "detective" magnifying glasses, showing emotion cards for the Heart Hat, or brainstorming wild "what if" ideas during Inventor Hat time.

By associating each thinking mode with a physical prop and concrete action, children learn to approach problems from multiple perspectives - considering facts, feelings, risks, benefits, creative solutions, and overall organization.

A lesson about classroom rules might use the Safety Hat to discuss potential dangers, then switch to the Sunshine Hat to highlight positive outcomes of good behavior.

This method not only develops early critical thinking skills but also nurtures emotional intelligence, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving in a format that feels more like play than work.

As children progress, the hats provide a flexible framework that can grow with them, from simple preschool activities to more complex elementary-level discussions about stories, science concepts, or classroom decisions.

The K-W-L strategy is an engaging, inquiry-based approach that empowers young learners to connect prior knowledge with new discoveries in a structured yet flexible way.

• By beginning with the K (Know) column, teachers activate children's existing understanding through discussion, pictures, or hands-on objects for example, asking preschoolers "What do you already know about frogs?" and recording their responses with words or drawings.

• The W (Want/Wonder) phase sparks natural curiosity as children generate questions like "Why do frogs jump?" or "Where do they sleep?", developing critical thinking and language skills.

• After the lesson, the L (Learned) section helps students reflect on and articulate new knowledge, reinforcing concepts through creative activities like crafting frog life cycles or acting out metamorphosis.

---For early learners, teachers can adapt this strategy using visual aids, interactive displays, or oral discussions to accommodate varying literacy levels.

---This simple three-step framework not only makes learning more meaningful by building on children's interests but also cultivates important metacognitive skills as young students learn to organize, question, and synthesize information - transforming passive receivers into active investigators of their world.

--->The K-W-L approach works particularly well with thematic units (seasons, animals, community helpers) and can be extended through journals, class books, or "what we still wonder" discussions that maintain the spirit of inquiry.

Engaging, age-appropriate activities and tips to teach public speaking to young learners:

• Fun Icebreaker Activities like ; "Show and Tell" with a Twist (The children bring a favorite toy/book and describe it in 3 sentences)

• Creative Storytelling; Puppet Theater (Let kids use hand puppets to retell a fairy tale or make up their own story) / Picture Prompts (Show a funny or fantastical image and ask them some questions)

• Movement-Based Speaking; like "Follow the Leader" Speech (One child strikes a pose and says, "I’m brave because…" Others copy and add their own line) / Emotion Charades (Act out emotions (happy, scared) while saying a sentence).

• Simple Public Speaking Tips for Kids; like "Big Voice, Big Smile" Rule (Practice speaking loud enough for the class to hear, paired with a smile) / Magic Words (Teach openings/closings: "Hello friends!" and "Thank you for listening) / Balloon Breathing (Inhale deeply (pretend to blow up a balloon), exhale slowly to calm nerves).

• Confidence-Building Games; like Pass the Mic (Use a toy microphone. Each child says one word to build a silly group story).

• Mini "Speech" Ideas; like My Favorite Thing (30 seconds): "I love pizza because…" / If I Were… (10 seconds): "If I were a dinosaur, I’d…"

Public speaking is a vital skill for young learners, helping them build confidence, express ideas clearly, and develop critical thinking from an early age.

Simple activities like show-and-tell, storytelling, and classroom presentations encourage children to overcome shyness and communicate effectively.

By practicing in a supportive environment, young students learn to organize their thoughts, use gestures and eye contact, and engage their peers.

These foundational experiences not only boost self-esteem but also prepare them for future academic and social success.

Fun exercises, such as role-playing, puppet shows, and short speeches on favorite topics, make public speaking enjoyable while fostering essential communication skills that will benefit them throughout life.

@Sanaa

I completely agree with you. Teeaching tech skills isn't enough, we must focus on digital responsibility too.

Your examples of how to include digital citizenship in different subjects are very helpful.

The idea that 'what's wrong offline is wrong online' is such a clear way to teach students.

This is an important conversation we all need to have, because being good digital citizens is just as important as being tech-savvy.

@Kanwal-Zaman

Recognizing and accommodating diverse learning styles is a key to creating an inclusive classroom where every student can thrive.
****Some strategies I've found effective:

• For visual learners: Flashcards, Graphic organizers, diagrams... .

• For auditory learners: Discussion podcasts/audio clips... .

• For kinesthetic learners: Role plays... .

@Kanwal-Zaman

I completely agree that SEL is foundational, not supplemental, to student success. In my experience, the most impactful strategy has been starting each class with simple 'emotional check-ins' giving students space to name and process their feelings before learning. This small practice has dramatically improved our classroom climate and engagement.

@Shaista-Begum

Absolutely! It’s inspiring to see students harness technology as a force for good, turning innovative ideas into tangible solutions for sustainability.

@Sanaa said

Thank you for this thoughtful reflection! You’ve perfectly captured the essence of mentorship, balancing guidance with humanity to inspire both confidence and growth.

@Sanaa said

Thank you for your kind and insightful words .

Those are reminders that reignite our passion for teaching and remind us of the impact we can make.