- Ellii Blog Spelling Games (https://ellii.com/blog/6-spelling-games-and-activities-for-learning-english)
Spelling games that are fun, easy to access for all levels of ESL learners, and can be quickly integrated into the classroom as warm-up activities, instructional support strategies, or end of class informal/formal assessments.
- The Internet TEFL Journal (http://iteslj.org/games/)
This is a place were English teachers can share games and activities that they have found useful in the classroom.
- IceBreakers Games & Activities (https://www.sessionlab.com/blog/icebreaker-games/)
61 Icebreaker games and activities that are appropriate for most age levels. In my classes, I have used most of them with great success. Furthermore, they are categorized for easy reference, and the design team hyperlinked explanation cards for clarity and understanding.
- ESL Classroom Games and Activities (https://eslkidstuff.com/esl-kids-games-activities-menu/classroom-games-activities/)
On this web page they have gathered together a huge library of tried and tested ESL kids games and activities. Dip in any time to find the perfect addition to your lesson plan!
- Online Escape Rooms (https://online-escape-room.com)
This is just one of many online escape rooms that offer a fun way for individuals or groups or classes to participate in the Escape Room experience. Most sites are free, so look around a little for alternate experiences.
- Jeopardy Labs (https://jeopardylabs.com)
JeopardyLabs allows teachers (and students) to create a customized jeopardy template without relying on PowerPoint. The games that are made or used from already developed templates can be played online from anywhere in the world.
I found this website while developing a lesson plan for teaching mid-level adult ESL college students how to create compound sentences. The free games are easy to navigate for all learners, and the students enjoyed the scaffolded support.
Word Shake is a free online word game for any age ESL student to practice vocabulary. You are given a random assortment of 16 letters in a 4×4 grid and are set a time limit of 3 minutes. In that time you must spell as many words as possible. The words, of course must be real words, spelled correctly as checked against the word list of 52,000 words and must contain between 3 and 7 letters. A letter cannot be used twice in the same word. When forming your word, you can select letters from any position as long as you follow the spelling order.
Tongue twisters are a great way to start a class or work on pronunciation. The link provided is a gateway to pronunciation practice for all ESL levels. There are multiple pronunciation links embedded within the website.
- ESL Small Talk Classroom Games (https://eslspeaking.org/small-talk-esl-activity/)
If you need more ideas to encourage unstructured conversation in the classroom, try some of these activities listed on this web site.
- Ice Breaker Questions (https://conversationstartersworld.com/icebreaker-questions/)
At the beginning, in the middle, or after class are moments to engage with ESL students in unstructured conversations. Ice breaker questions are a great strategy to build rapport, inspire students to speak in small or large group gatherings, build confidence, and develop safe spaces for student’s to practice their English speaking skills.
- Icebreaker Ideas (https://www.sessionlab.com/blog/icebreaker-games/#break-the-ice-with-the-help-of-your-key)
Whenever you bring a group of people together for the first times, it’s helpful to get to know each other at the outset. This does not only mean just memorizing names, but also involves getting the facilitator or leader of the session familiar with everyone and getting a read on the energy of the room. One of the other major benefits of these games is in allowing group members to break free from dry or boring introductions and get to know each other more meaningfully.
- Gimkit (www.gimkit.com)
Gimkit is a game based learning platform. Students do not need an account to play or participate.
- Blooket (www.blooket.com)
According to Blooket’s website, this online interactive educational game is an exciting new take on the modern classroom review game. It aims to match action with education to create the ultimate learning experience!
- Free Rice (https://freerice.com/home)
Free Rice is an online vocabulary game that matches correct answers with rice grain donations generated within Freerice, triggering a financial payment to WFP. This money goes into the pot of “greatest needs” to support the organization’s ongoing emergencies. 100% of all funds generated via Freerice go to the World Food Programme. Freerice does not earn or keep any money it raises.
- Kahoot (www.kahoot.com)
This account is an online platform that makes it easy to create, share, and play learning games or engage in trivia quizzes. Students do not need to have an account.
- Cool Math Games (https://www.coolmathgames.com/0-death-by-spell-check?utm_content=CTA_You_Will_Also_Like)
Don’t let the web site name fool you; follow the link to web based free grammar games for the ESL learner.
- “Murder Mystery at the Ski Resort” Google Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqFhb4f0GuHmYnPzUMUAUq5m2YUOmoZL_tgfCrn5TkEplTpQ/formResponse)
The Google Form is linear murder mystery full of riddles and puzzles individuals, small groups, or classes can complete to work on all facets of English language skills.
- Games to Teach Financial Literacy (https://www.edutopia.org/article/10-free-financial-literacy-games-high-school-students/)
I have been exploring lesson plans that focus on building self-efficacy in my ESL students to discuss, learn, investigate, and explore the culture of money and finances in America and internationally. This website has 10 web-based interactive games for students to play. Students would need a cellphone and/or computer with internet access.
- Cool English Activities (https://www.coolenglish.net/edu/activities?onlyFree=yes)
Find a myriad of FREE English language games all in one spot and for all levels.
- ESL Online Kid Games (https://www.eslkidsgames.com/online-esl-games)
This web site contains a comprehensive list of interactive and engaging games for PK-8 ESL students. These games are perfect for face-to-face teaching with an interactive digital board or conducting online classes through Zoom.
A comprehensive web site containing auditory, reading/writing, and visual games, activities, worksheets, and lesson plan ideas.