Select ESL Games
Playing word games in class is a great way to add variety to your ESL teaching.
When playing a game that needs teams it's a great way for the classmates
to get to know each other. The following are board games. You can most of
these games on amazon.com.
Scrabble
Everyone starts out with 7 or 9 tiles. The object of the game is to score
as many points as you can by forming words from the letters on the tiles.
This is the classic word game and is lots of fun in ESL class. You can form
4 teams of several people and have the teams collaborate on their words.
Taboo
This is excellent for the ESL class. This is like the old TV game show You
Don't Say. You get a word and have to have your teammate guess the word that
you are trying to explain without saying TABOO words. Here's truly unspeakable
fun! You've got to think fast, talk fast and avoid saying TABOO words. If
your team shouts out the correct secret word, you get a point. But be careful!
Your opponents will be looking over your shoulder, making sure you don't
say any of the TABOO words. If you do and they catch you, they sound the
buzzer and score the point! Includes 504 TABOO cards, card holder, buzzer,
timer, score pad. 2 AA batteries required (not included).
For 4 or more players. A 1990 Mensa Select Award Winner.
Apples to Apples
Who knew that two decks of cards -- nouns and adjectives -- could be this
much fun? One player serves as the judge and lays down an adjective. The
others scramble to find a noun in their hand which can be described by that
adjective. The results are often outrageous. For 4 to 8 players. A junior
edition is available.
Pass the Bomb
A randomly timed "bomb" gets passed from player to player in this game, as
they try to come up with words that include the letters on a face-up card.
When the bomb "explodes," the player holding it gets the card, representing
one negative point.
Typo
Typo is a very clever word game from small publisher Cwali. Players begin
with a hand of 12 cards (each card has one letter), with five cards on the
table. They then attempt to play their cards in such a way that they can
expand the cards on the table to form part of a word. For two to six players.
Quiddler
The short word, game - is a breakthrough in word games. Because short words,
like 'at', 'is', 'of', 'ax','ow' and 'zoo' can lead to winning, readers of
all ages can play and win. There are bonuses for both short and long words.
You simply combine all the cards in your hand into words. The words don't
have to be related, and you don't play off other player's words. In the first
round players get three cards, in the second round four cards, on up to 10
cards in the last round. Just words. Just fun. MENSA Best Mind Game 1999
My Word!
My Word! is a word game that plays like a party game! As soon as the My Word!
letter cards are laid on the table, all of the players quickly search for
words among the cards. The first player to call out a word using at least
three cards wins those cards. Fast and fun, My Word! appeals to lovers of
word games, and party games alike!
Word Up!
The World's Most Popular ESL Board Game. WORD UP board games for EFL/ESL
students Available now in two new editions:
Man Bites Dog
It’s the Hilarious Headline Card Game! This game is a little different:
you’re dealt a hand of cards with words on them, each with a point value.
When it’s your turn, construct the headline that earns the highest
points… and often the biggest laughs! The first player to get to 500
points wins. It’s a great way to have fun with language for kids and
adults alike. Compact enough to go on the road, this game is Extra! Extra!
fun.
| 