Looking to inspire your students in English with good games? Then I would say this blog is for you.
It’s always been a critical challenge for English teachers to keep their students engaged in learning. You need to incorporate some interesting and exciting classroom games in your teaching. Children love to play games. So, incorporating it into your teaching methods will be more effective and provide the best result for your students. But what games will be effective? Not sure about it? We got you. Here are our top picks for you. Jump into the blog and make sure to implement it in your teaching. Shall we?
Classroom games for English Language Learners
1. Word Jumble Race
Word Jumble is a fantastic game that encourages the students to work together. This brings a competition mode to your classroom.
No matter how old your students are, everybody has a competitive mind that lets them run towards their destination. By playing this game, students can learn many new words, which helps in practicing tenses, word formation, grammar, and reading/writing skills.
What you’ll learn?
- Spellings
- Word formation
- Tenses
- Grammar
- Better Reading/Writing skills
Who can play?
- Suitable for all ages
How to Play?
- You should write out some sentences, each one in a different color. It would be best to have 3-5 sentences per team.
- Break up the sentences so that you have a few words.
- Keep each sentence separate by putting it into hats, cups, or any other object you can find.
- Divide your class into two, three, or four teams. There are no limits to how many teams you can have, but remember to have enough sentences for everyone.
- To proceed, teams must arrange their sentences correctly.
- The first team to correctly order all sentences wins.
2. Pictionary
Pictionary is another group game that works pretty well when implemented in teaching. All kinds of students love to play this game. With this game, you can break the monotony of learning a new language from kids.
What you’ll learn?
- Vocabulary
Who can Play?
- Best for young learners
How to Play?
- Before you begin your class, pick a bunch of words from a book or dictionary and write them out on pieces of paper.
- Now split your class into two teams.
Pick one person from each team and give them a word - Let them draw the word as a picture on the board and let the team members guess the word.
- The first team who finds the word will get the point.
- Repeat the game.
- The last team who has a high score will be the winning team.
3. Mime
Miming is another good game similar to a Pictionary that helps kids practice tenses and verbs. This game doesn’t require more planning time. Further, it works well for any age group.
What you’ll learn?
- Communication skill
- Vocabulary
Who can Play?
- All age groups
How to Play?
- Write out some words like washing dishes.
- Split your class into two teams
- Pick one student from each team and give the word.
- Now, your student should act on that word mentioned in the paper.
- Let the other team members guess the word.
- Repeat until your word list gets over.
- The team that scores high should be announced as a winning team.
4. Board Race
Board race is a fun game used to teach English language learners vocabulary. Whether it is a word from the textbook or the dictionary, it helps your students to learn words.
What you’ll learn?
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Who can play?
- All age groups
How to Play?
- Divide your class into two teams and give them markers.
- Draw a line in the middle of the board and split it into two teams.
- Write a topic at the board top.
- Now, the students should write as many related words as possible, like a relay race.
- For each team, provide a point for each correct word. The team that gets the most score will be the winning team.
5. Simon Says
It is a great game that excites the kids while playing.
What you’ll learn?
- Vocabulary
- Listening skills
- Comprehension
Who can play?
- Young minds
How to Play?
- Pick a student and stand in front of the class
- They should do an action and say, “Simon Say.”
- Now, the students must copy what Simon does.
- Repeat the process with different actions.
- At some point, the kid standing in front of the class should do the action without saying “Simon Says.”
- Other kids shouldn’t repeat the action.
- However, some may forget and do the action.
- The kids who do the action will be out of the game.
- Repeat the game.
6. Where to go?
This game is used to teach prepositions. Once you teach a chapter to your kid, you can play it with your students.
What you’ll learn?
- Prepositions of movements
- Communication skills
- Listening skills
Who can play?
- All age groups
How to Play?
- Make a maze in your classroom.
- Tell your students to stand outside the class.
- Pair each kid in your class and blindfold one student from each pair.
- Now, each pair should enter the classroom one at a time.
- The student with the blindfold should listen to the other one to pass through the maze. For instance, the students should direct the other one with the commands live go under, step forward/backwards, turn left/right, etc.
Wrap Up
These games are just like a pinch of salt on the list. Many games are available to incorporate into English class. However, the games mentioned above will keep your students happy and engaged in their English learning practice. So, make sure to use the games in your class.
Our list will enrich you with some enjoyment in your classroom. When you start a new thing, check your student’s progress. It will help you to teach your kids in a better way.
Happy teaching!
