English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) refer to the study of English by nonnative speakers. There are many games and activities that will help with the learning process and pique the students' interest. Vocabulary games focus on helping students develop and use words in different contexts by making the lessons enjoyable.
What's the Word?
Just as in charades, this game requires miming to get the word across. Write out sets of cards that include different categories, such as words for animals, jobs or actions. Divide the class into two teams. Place the cards face down at the front of the classroom. The first team sends up a player, who reads the top card and acts out the word. The other players on the same team call out answers. The first player to call it out correctly earns a point for his team. Both teams continue to take turns until all the cards have been read and acted out. This helps students practice vocabulary recall.
Changing Words
The teacher writes a word with four letters on the board. Students will then take turns making new words out of the first one by changing one letter. For example, if the word is "time," a student may change it to "dime." Any letter can change, so the next student may change the word to "dome." As long as the words make sense, the game continues.
Getting to Know You
Have the students break up into pairs and give them each an index card. Get them to write the name of their partner on the card and provide them with five or six questions to ask each other, such as "Where were you born?" and "What is your favorite color?" The students should then write the answers to the questions on their cards. Once they have finished interviewing each other, have each student stand up in front of the class and tell everyone what they learned about their partner. This will help students develop communication skills by getting them comfortable with speaking English in public.
Sentence Race
Prepare a list of vocabulary words that the class has been studying. Write each word out on a piece of paper and stack them in a pile. Divide the class into two teams. The game begins when the teacher calls out a word. Two students, one from each team, will then race to the blackboard and write a sentence using the word that was just called out. The winner of the round is the team with the most clearly written and correct sentences. This is a good game for all levels. For more advanced students, use more complex words.
Tags: class into, class into teams, Divide class, Divide class into, each other, into teams
