Simple and Classic ESL Games
The games on this page are simple, time-tested ways of injecting fun into a class with young learners. You may recognize some of these games as variations on games from…
ESL games for younger ESL students, including phonics and grammar games, stickyball games, dice games, and all kinds of fun and interactive learning activities!
ESL Trivia Game for Beginner Students
Instructions: Put the students into teams. Read each question, giving them a short amount of time to discuss and write an answer. Depending on your students’ level, you may need…
ESL Ad Lib Madness! “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
Instructions: Print out the Ad Lib story below. In front of the class, go through each of the blanks, and ask them to yell out a word that corresponds to…
ESL Ad Lib Madness! “Manners”
Instructions: Print out the Ad Lib story below. In front of the class, go through each of the blanks, and ask them to yell out a word that corresponds to…
ESL Trivia Game for Beginner/Intermediate Students
Instructions: Put the students into teams. Read each question, giving them a short amount of time to discuss and write an answer. Depending on your students’ level, you may need…
ESL Ad Lib Madness! “My Favorite Foods”
Instructions: Print out the Ad Lib story below. In front of the class, go through each of the blanks, and ask them to yell out a word that corresponds to…
ESL Game: I Dare You (printable cards)
Instructions: This is a fun group game for ESL classes. Divide the groups into teams. They then take turns drawing a card (don’t let the students see the cards). The…
ESL Game: Three Dice (All Levels)
This is a great way to break up the monotony of classes. Great for all levels. Materials: Three dice and a cup. Instructions: Put the three dice in a cup…
ESL Game: DICEBOMB!
A simple way game for reviewing material that will drive kids MAD! Instructions: This is a great way to review vocabulary or material from previous classes. First, you must split…
ESL Game: The Symbol Game
By the end of this game, everyone should have a smile on their faces and be familiar with all of their classmates. Instructions: This can be used for students of…
ESL Activity: Murder Winks
A classic party game that is easily adapted to the classroom. Instructions: The students stand in a circle, and one of them will be the "murderer". This student will "murder"…
ESL Activity: Circle Memory Sentences
A good icebreaker or review speaking activity for all levels. Instructions: This activity is especially good for reviewing vocabulary when you have 15 minutes left at the end of class!…