I have large classes, many low-level students and minimal access to technology, so it took me a long time to compile a list of games to suit my classes. The following is what I've gathered over the past six months. I realise that there are likely to be several repeats in other lists posted on Waygook, but I thought I would share it anyway for the benefit of others in my situation.
Cheers!
Games Galore!20 Questions – Provide a category and instruct students to inquire using yes/no questions.
PictionarySentence Scramble – Divide the class into small groups of 3-5 students and provide each one with a set of word flashcards with various nouns and prepositions. Show the class a photo of objects in various relationships (position-wise) to other objects and have students build a sentence with their flashcards. First team to build a grammatically correct sentence describing the photo wins the round. If the team calls the teacher over to check their sentence but an error is found, that team must wait until every other team has had one chance to have their sentence checked before they can re-submit their request. (Ex: “The ball is on the table between the book and the lamp.”
Body Language -
http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,2523.0.html The Elephant Game - Teacher starts students off with the word “Elephant.” Students must say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. (Board race variation: students write words on the board in competing teams.)
Buzz – Class counts from 1-100, saying one number per person. Any number containing a 3 or 7 must be replaced by the word BUZZ. If students make a mistake or forget to say BUZZ when appropriate, the class must start over.
Hangman – To make the game more interesting, Wheel of Fortune can be substituted using target vocabulary or phrases.
Hidden Picture –
www.barryfunenglish.com Program slowly uncovers photo and teams take turns guessing what the photo depicts.
Last Man Standing – Students choose a word from a list that a teacher provides and write the word in large letters on a piece of paper. Students watch a music video with subtitles. Each time their word is called, they must stand up. If they are already standing, they must sit down. People left standing at the end of the song are the winners.
Hot Potato + Question Cards – Students must pass a ball amongst themselves while music plays. Students cannot hold ball for longer than 1 second. When the music stops, student holding the ball answers
Guess the Drawing – Same as Hidden Picture, but without a computer. Students can work in groups of three, where 1 member draws stroke by stroke and the remaining two must try to guess what the picture is.
Cryptograms – Students use a decoder to uncover a secret message. Incentives can be given for the first few students to finish.
Running Dictation -
http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,2542.0.html Tic-Tac-Toe/Connect 4 – Students recite the target phrases/vocabulary words in the boxes they select, to add an educational spin to the traditional rules.
“Change It” Sentence Game – Teacher writes a basic sentence on the board and each student must change 1 word to make a new, grammatically correct sentence. (variation: add words instead of substituting them.)
-Ex: “In the winter, I have to wear a jacket.”
“In the fall, I have to wear a jacket.”
“In the fall, I have to wear a sweater.”
2 Truths, 1 Lie – Students list 2 truths and 1 lie about themselves. Class is divided into groups and other students must guess which statement is false.
Anagrams – Teacher writes a long word like INTERNATIONAL or SPAGHETTI and has students work in teams to create as many words as possible out of the letters. The letters can only be used once.)
Simon Says – Substitute target phrases or vocabulary for older/more advanced students.
Soldiers & Ninjas -
http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,221.0.html Modified Seven Up - (see below) Instead of asking: “Did you choose me?” “Yes I did./No I didn’t.” use target phrases. Have each Chooser hold up a sign with a target phrase or vocab word and have Selectees form questions based on the signs.
Roll the Dice – Teacher creates 6 different types of tasks, listed on a worksheet given to each group. Students take turns rolling the dice and performing the corresponding task.
“For dinner, I ate…” - Students repeat everything that was said before them and then add their own word to the end. Students who forget or make a mistake must sit down. Last person(s) standing win. (Ex: “For dinner, I ate spaghetti, pizza, chicken, peas, kimchi and toast.” Next student “For dinner, I ate spaghetti, pizza, chicken, peas, kimchi, toast and apple pie.” And so on…
M&M Spoon Race – Team members complete a language task and then take a spoon, which they use to scoop M&Ms from their basket and carry them across the classroom to another basket. At the end of the time limit, the team with the most M&Ms in their new basket wins. Points can be subtracted for each M&M dropped. To make it more challenging, person carrying spoon can be blindfolded and directed by classmates.
One-Armed Pirate – Students must read a word or phrase and then pass a large ball to the person sitting next to them using only 1 arm. If the ball is dropped, the team must start over again. First team to complete the entire list of phrases or words wins.
Two Finger Point – Show a series of pictures, words or phrases in semi-rapid succession. If the teacher uses 1 finger to point at a student, they must say the word/phrase. If the teacher uses 2 fingers to point at a student, the student should remain silent. This game can be played in competing groups with a time limit. Round ends when time runs out or after 3 strikes, whichever comes first.
Backward Hoop – If students answer a question or use target vocabulary correctly, they can shoot the ball through the hoop (or wastebasket) facing backwards.
Back Talk – A type of telephone relay game in which students must convey a word by writing it on the person’s back who is standing in front of them.
4 Corners – Teacher tapes 1 word/phrase/photo in each corner of the classroom. For each question, students vote for an answer by migrating to the corresponding corner. Students who have chosen the correct answer may play in the next round. Last person standing wins.
Word Association Challenge – The class is divided into row teams, each member of which is given a number (ex: 1-6). Teacher writes a list of everyday words on the board. She calls a number and says a word. 1 member from each team (according to the number called) must figure out which word(s) on the board are associated with the word called.
Team Memory – Teacher shows a line up of vocabulary flashcards for 1 minute, then covers words up. Students are challenged to recall as many words as possible or, for advanced classes, recite the words in the correct order.
Yes/No Game – Teacher divides class into two teams. Students must ask the teacher yes/no questions. If the teacher answers “yes,” team gets 2 points. If the teacher answers “no,” team gets 1 point. Keep changing point values.
Volcano Game – One student from each team receives a word. She must describe the word to her classmates without using the word itself.
Odd One Out – Teacher gives teams of students 10-20 rows of words. In each row, one word does not belong with the others. Students must circle this word and describe the similarity of the remaining words.
Survivor Spelling – Teacher has a list of new vocab words handy. Groups of students form single-file lines. Teacher says a vocabulary word. Each student down the line says 1 letter until the word is spelt. If a mistake is made, spelling starts over with the next person in line. At the end of the timed round, 3 teams with the most correctly-spelled words get 3 points, 2 points and 1 point respectively. Class plays until word list is exhausted.
Meet the Relatives – Students list rhyming words and/or minimal pairs for a given vocabulary word. This can be done individually or in teams.
Worth 1000 Words – Teacher shows class a photograph on the screen. Students in small teams have 2-4 minutes to list as many words describing the photograph in individual words or short phrases. Team with the most words/most creative description/most unique words, etc. wins the round.
Terrific Train Game – Teacher draws train tracks with 10-15 sleepers. Teacher has students from each team spell a word/recite a target phrase. If they respond correctly, they roll the dice. They move forward on the tracks according to the number rolled. (Optional: designate some squares on the track as “lose a point,” “roll again,” etc.)
Mingle Jingle – Play music and have students walk about the classroom. When the music stops, students must interview the person closest to them.
Find Your Partners – Teacher distributes a card with a word to each student. Students must find their group based on a shared (unknown) category that they must mingle with their classmates to solve. (Ex: types of transportation, fruits & vegetables, share the same first letter, etc.)
Cops & Robbers – Divide students into groups of 6-8. Break students into two lines facing each other with an area in the middle. One line of students are cops; the other line of students are robbers. Place objects in a pile between the lines, slightly closer to the robbers. Number the students in each line from 1-3 or 1-4. Call out a number and an object. Cop will try to catch the robber after the robber has “stolen” the object. If the cop is successful, he says “I’ve caught the robber.” (point earned) If the robber is successful, she says “I’ve stolen the {book.}” (point earned) Team with most points wins.
Happy Face/Sad Face – A board race game in which a happy face and sad face are drawn or taped to the board. Teacher holds up a flashcard containing a sentence and reads it out loud. If the phrase/sentence is correct, students run to the board and slap the happy face (vice versa for an incorrect sentence). First student to answer correctly wins the round.
Line Up! – Teacher has students arrange themselves in a line according to descending birth date or other such criteria. Students can compete in teams to be the first to successfully complete the task.
Steal, Switch or Bust - http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,488.0.html
Speed Game - There are a million variations on this one every one of which is sure to get the least enthusiastic class going. Essentially, it involves printing or writing everything from simple vocab to full questions and answers to pictures that elicit either of the two. They are taped up on the wall in a horseshoe pattern keeping as much distance between them as possible. After a review of the target language split the class in two and have them line up at the tips of the horseshoe. One student at a time must read through the target language walking towards the student on the other team page by page. When they meet they rock, paper scissors it out. The winner continues while the loser must go to the back of their team’s line. Immediately, the next person in line on the losing team starts. When ever a player makes it to the other side of the horseshoe without losing a rps game, their team earns a point. Play until they get bored.
Running Dictation - Use your own short text or the texts on the English dictation pages. Cut the text into sentences and place them around the room. Split the class into groups or pairs. Each group must have one runner and a designated writer. The runner has to go around the room and read the sentences - committing them to memory - they are not allowed to touch the paper, take the paper back to the group or shout the sentence across the room. Once they think they can remember the sentence they return to the group and repeat to them what it said. The writer of the group writes down the sentence as it is dictated, if the runner forgets part of the sentence they are allowed to go back to the paper and re-read it (same rules apply). The group can then elect another runner and a writer and they have to find another sentence. The group then has to put the sentences in the correct order.
Guggenheim (Stop the Bus) -
http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,3788.0.htmlLanguage Horse Shoes – Teacher has students answer a question or recite a target phrase. If they answer correctly, they can take a shot at throwing an object (such as a plastic disk) at a pole. Extra points are given for hooking the pole.
Musical Chairs – A old classic! Teacher tapes a vocab word or phrase to each chair and have students recite the phrase on the chair they selected at the end of each round.
Christmas Limbo – Teacher has students answer a question or recite a target phrase. If student answers correctly, he has the opportunity to try his luck to pass under the limbo line made of garland or another suitable Christmas decoration. Each time, the line gets lowered. To make it more challenging, Students can stuff a balloon under their jackets to create a “Santa belly.”
BOMB Game -
http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,2230.0.htmlTelephone/Chinese Whispers – Students line up in groups. First person whispers a word or phrase to the student in front of them. The group relays the message to the last person who must recite the phrase out loud. The result is often much different than the original!
Jenga – Teacher divides students into small groups and provides each one a Jenga game. Students answer a question (for example, from a stack of flashcards) or recite a target phrase. If they answer correctly, they remove one block from the Jenga tower.
Human Knot/Twister – Students are grouped in 6-10 (Human Knot) and 4-6 (Twister). They must use English commands to communicate how the group should rearrange themselves either to untie the knot without letting go or how to maneuver on the Twister board without falling over.
Stinger – (see below)
Uno – Students are given a set of cards and a list of numbered target phrases. Students must say the phrase that corresponds to the number of the card they played. If they played a wild card, they may choose any phrase.
Cell phone Scavenger Hunt – Students are given a list of things that can be found within school grounds ranging from very easy (ex: an English textbook) to moderate (ex: a student high-fiving a teacher) to difficult (ex: a lizard), worth a varying amount of points apiece. Students are instructed to take photos on their cell phones and cross off the items they have found. Teams with most points at the end of the class period win the scavenger hunt!
Mad Libs – Another old classic that can be written to suit whatever topic was covered the previous week. Sure to generate lots of laughs!
Guess Who – Students are given 2 blank sheets of paper and instructed to draw 2 people according to descriptive adjectives such as weight, build, hair color, eye color, nose size, accessories, etc. Class is divided into teams. Pictures of each team are lined up on a table facing the opposing team. Each team secretly chooses one picture. Teams take turns asking yes/no questions to determine the identity of the person chosen by the other team. First team to answer correctly wins round.
Hot Seat - A volunteer comes up to the front of class and sits in the "hot seat" (with back towards the TV monitor/blackboard). Teacher explains to the students that a picture will be shown on the TV, and the rest of the students must give clues one at a time, in English, to the volunteer so he can guess what the picture is.
Word Association – The teacher calls out a word, for example, “hotel.” The first student must say a word closely associated with the word “hotel,” for example, “bedroom.” And so on. A sample progression would be hotel bedroom sofa furniture store grocery store apple…
Secret Numbers - Students are assigned numbers randomly. The students say their numbers in front of the class and the other students try to remember everyone’s number. The students must try to keep their number a secret. The students are then divided into two teams. A student from Team 1 calls out a number. If the number belongs to someone on Team 2, then that person must move to Team 1. If the student from Team 1 calls out a number that belongs to someone on her on team, then that someone must move to Team 2. The teams try to have the most players by the end of the game. The end comes either when the teacher declares the game finished or when one team has all the players (or a set number of players).
Big Wind Blows - Grammar Point (“Everyone with blue shoes, Go!!”) 15-20min MAX.
Everyone sits in a circle, one person stands in the middle and calls out description. Students with blue shoes must change seats. They CAN'T sit in adjacent open seats. Works out to make mixed groups of strangers. Play along with the students. You can throw in “Every Korean/student go.” If they're cleverly spiteful, they'll say “Every American/teacher go.” If it's a low group, I recommend physical descriptions (color, clothes, etc). If it's a high group, I suggest introducing adj. clauses (Every one who has blue shoes, Go!) and personal info (family, hobbies, etc.)
