Classroom Games and Resources for ESL

A good teacher, in order to properly teach, needs resources. These can be classroom games, activities or audio-visual media. We accept ideas and suggestions from you and are here to give some as well. A teacher, regardless of experience, needs all the help she or he can get.

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Adult Classroom Games

Category Game

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : average
Educational Value : medium

Divide your class into small groups and designate one person as the group secretary. The teacher then writes a category on the board. For example, 'nouns' or 'fruit' The students have 1 minute to write down as many words as they can that fall into this category. The team that has the most words written down after the minute is the winner. Another variation is to give a point to each team that has a word written down that the other teams don't have. The team with the most points wins. Writing the words on the board helps reinforce new vocabulary.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishinTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

20 Questions

Preparation : none
English Level : intermediate & up
Fun Value :medium
Educational Value : medium

Have one person in the class think of one famous person. Have the other students in the class ask "yes" or "no" questions as to whom this person may be. For example "Is she a movie star?". The other students in the class only have 20 questions to guess what famous person the student is thinking of.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishinTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and students

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Children's Games

20 Questions

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : high
Educational Value : low

Have all your students take their shoes off and put them in a pile at one end of the classroom. Then have two students go to the other end of the classroom. The teacher say "go". The first student to find his or her own shoes and put them on is the winner. Another variation of this is have the whole class do this at the same time. However this could be a little crazy so be prepared.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishinTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

I Spy

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : medium
Educational Value : medium

This is an "oldie" from when we were kids, however it is a great game to reinforce colors. The teacher starts and says "I spy with my little eye something that is red" The students ask " Is it that bag?" etc. until someone guesses correctly. The student who guesses correctly then comes to the front of the classroom and takes the teacher's role. Another variation is to say " I spy with my little eye something that begins with the letter A,B,C etc."

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishinTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

Musical Chairs

Preparation : low
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : high
Educational Value : low

Arrange some chairs in a circle, with one (or more) less chair than students. Then have the students sing a song while walking around the chairs until the teacher whistles. The students then try to grab a seat.� The student(s) left standing are out. Take away another chair and continue until there is only one student left and he /she is the winner. To make the game go faster you can take away more than one chair at a time. Music can also be played instead of the children singing.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishinTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

20 Questions

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : high
Educational Value : low

Have all your students take their shoes off and put them in a pile at one end of the classroom. Then have two students go to the other end of the classroom. The teacher say "go". The first student to find his or her own shoes and put them on is the winner. Another variation of this is have the whole class do this at the same time. However this could be a little crazy so be prepared.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishInTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

Teacher Says

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : medium
Educational Value : medium

This a good TPR game for teaching verbs (run, jump, fly, etc.) and imperatives (come here, go to the window, etc.). First ensure the students understand that they can only do the action if you say "teacher says" first. If you don't say "teacher says", they must not move. Any movement if the teacher doesn't say 'teacher says" or an incorrect action results in the student being out.

Teacher: Teacher says, turn around.
Students: turn around.
Teacher: turn around
Students: stand still

Another variation to this game for beginner students is not to introduce the "teacher says' part of this game. Simply give the students your commands, and if they don't complete the correct action they are out. Once the students find this too easy, then you can add the "teacher says" portion of the game.

This printable lesson compliments of www.EnglishInTaiwan.com
"The complete website for English teachers and student"

Letter Game

Preparation : none
English Level : beginner & up
Fun Value : medium
Educational Value : medium

This game is good for beginners who are just learning the alphabet. Line your students up in 2 or more lines. Then have everyone face the same direction, give the last student in each line an alphabet card. The student must write the given letter on the back of the person in front of them using their finger. The second student then writes on the next student's back and so on. This continues until it reaches the first student in line who must say what the letter is. If this student is correct they score a point for their team. The person at the front of the line now goes to the back.