Classroom English Activities for ESL: Language for the Classroom

If you’re looking for some of the best classroom English activities and games, then you’re certainly in the right place! Keep on reading for the best class room language ideas for ESL.

Classroom English Games and Activities

Let’s get into the top class room English expressions and phrases for language learners.

#1: Classroom English Charades

ESL Charades is a nice review activity for common classroom language. Write down some classroom expressions on slips of paper and then divide the class into two teams. One student has to act out the phrase and his or her team has to guess the phrase. Repeat with the other team.

#2: Classroom Language Vocabulary Auction

This activity requires a bit of prep time but it’s totally worth it if you’re able to use it for more than one class. Put students into teams and they have to bid on words that will help them make complete sentences. Of course, the vocabulary should be focused on classroom English. Then, there’s a trading time amongst teams. Finally, the team with the most complete sentences is the winner.

Sounds fun? It is! Try it out and I’m sure your students will love it. Find out more:

ESL Vocab Auction.

#3: Classroom Language Videos

Sometimes I’m sure that my students get tired of hearing me talk! So, why not let someone else do the heavy lifting, right? Have a look on YouTube for whatever topic, grammar point or vocabulary set you’re teaching and you’ll be able to easily find something that’ll work for you.

#4: Rocks-Scissor-Paper

This is a nice review activity for beginners. Using classroom English, write down some statements and responses or questions and answers. Then, cut them out into strips or paper.

Give each student 3-5 of them. Then, they have to circulate around the classroom, trying to find their matches. Once they do, they do rocks-scissor-paper and the winner takes both papers and gets one point. Find out more about this nice review activity here:

ESL Rock-Scissor-Paper Game.

#5: Disappearing Text with Classroom Phrases

Try out this activity for very important phrases like, “Can I please go to the bathroom?” Write it down on the board and have students say it out loud together. Then, erase 1-2 words and have students say it again. Keep going until all the words are gone but the students are saying the classroom phrase by themselves.

It’s ideal for helping students memorize key sentences. Check it out:

ESL Disappearing Text.

#6: Puzzle Finder

This is a nice activity for beginners who are just getting started out with class room expressions. Put questions and answers or statements and responses on big puzzle pieces and then distribute them to the students. They have to circulate around the class to find their matches. In the end, go over the matches for a nice review.

Check it out:

TEFL Puzzle Finder Activity.

#7: Classroom Language Pictionary

This is a nice activity for reviewing classroom language ESL. Write down some phrases or common classroom objects on slips of paper. Then, divide the class into teams and each team has to take turns drawing pictures on the board for their team to guess the expression or word.

#8: Simon Says With Classroom Expressions

This is a classic ESL game for kids that works well for classroom English. Try it out!

#9: Picture Prompt

I love to use pictures in my classes to elicit vocabulary from my students. It’s often the case that students know a good deal of classroom English already so this can serve as a nice warmer activity.

Show some pictures of common problems or situations that students might have in the classroom. Then, elicit phrases or expressions from the students that they could use to solve this problem.

For example, you could show a picture of someone looking very confused. Or, someone crossing their legs because they need to go to the bathroom. Or, people who are very cold or very hot.

#10: ESL Classroom English Taboo

I’m sure you’ve played the game Taboo before. It’s where you have to describe a word without using a set of related words. I’ve adapted it a little bit to make it easier for my language learning students. They have to describe the word or phrase using any of the resources at their disposal.

It’s a nice option for classroom phrases or objects. Find out more about it:

ESL Taboo Game.

#11: Role Plays for Classroom English

If you’re teaching absolute beginners, a nice way to teach classroom language can be to use some ESL role-plays. For example, getting students to act out some common problems that they might:

• Needing to go to the bathroom.
• Not understanding something.
• Forgetting a book at home.

Have students practice some of these common things so that they can gain some confidence with them.

#12: Use the Test-Teach-Test Approach

Unless students are complete beginners, it’s likely that they already know a decent amount of classroom phrases. That’s where something like the test teach test approach can come in handy. Find out what students already know and focus on the things that they don’t.

Want to know more about this style of language teaching? Have a look here:

Test Teach Test Approach.

#13: Hot Potato

#14: Asking for Permission Phrases and Expressions

Asking for permission is a very common thing in a classroom. Students have to ask if it’s okay to go to the bathroom, turn in homework a day late, or open the window, just to name a few things. Find out more about this important functional English skill here:

Asking Permission English Expressions.

#15: Do they Match?

In this activity, the teacher says a class room phrase and does an action that may, or may not match. If they match, the students do the action too. If they don’t match, the students have to do what the teacher says but not what they do.

#16: Flip Chart Classroom Vocabulary Review Game

#17: That’s Impossible!

Say some statements that are easy for students to do like:

• Stand up
• Turn to page 12 in your books
• Get out your pencil

And then students can do them.

But, then also say some things that are impossible like:

• Stand on the ceiling.
• Turn to page 1231.
• Get out 37 pencils.

If it’s impossible, students can say, “Teacher! I can’t do that.”

#18: Classroom English in an ESL Speaking Lesson

The good news is that it’s easy to plan an ESL speaking lesson about almost anything, including the language used in the classroom. Check out this video to find out how:

#19: Useful, or Not?

Write down some common classroom phrases on the board like:

• Can I please go to the bathroom?
• I forget my homework.

Then, including some ones that aren’t useful in the classroom:

• Can I please borrow some money?
• I forgot to brush my teeth last night.

Students have to identify the most useful classroom phrases.

#20: Use Realia?

Why use pictures or flashcards if you can use real objects? It can make the lesson more memorable and for classroom vocabulary, you should already have everything on hand. Find out more:

Using Realia in the Classroom.

#21: Total Physical Response

A nice way to get young learners involved and active in the classroom is to use total physical response. The teacher can say things like:

• Pick up your pencil.
• Turn to page 12.
• Stand up.
• Sit down.
• Raise your hands.

And the students have to do the actions. It’s a non-threatening way to help students learn important classroom vocabulary. Find out more about it here:

What is TPR Total Physical Response? 

Common Classroom English Phrases

Here are some of the most common classroom expressions that you might consider teaching your ESL/EFL students.

• Can I go to the bathroom, please?
• Can you please repeat that?
• Compare your answers with your partner.
• Don’t forget to bring _____ tomorrow.
• Good _____ (morning, afternoon, evening).
• How can I pronounce _____?
• How do you spell _____?
• I don’t understand.
• I’m sorry I’m late.
• Let’s check the answers.
• Line up, please.
• Make a group of _____.
• Please clean up.
• Please sit down
• Put your pen down.
• Quiet, please.
• Open your book to page _____.
• Raise your hand.
• Repeat after me.
• Talk to your partner for _____ minutes.
• Stand up
• What’s the answer?
• You have 5 minutes.

Classroom English Expressions Lesson Plans

If you’re a teacher, then you already know what a time-saver it can be to use lesson plans that other teachers have created. No need to reinvent the wheel! Have a look at some of these classroom language ESL lesson plans:

Lingua House

British Council

Class Room Language Worksheets

If you’re looking for some classroom English worksheets, look no further than our favourite resources:

Liveworksheerts

ISL Collective

ESL Printables

Classroom English FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about teaching classroom language. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is classroom language?

Classroom language is language that is used on a regular basis in a classroom. For example, phrases or expressions that deal with giving instructions.

What are some examples of classroom language?

Here are some examples of classroom language:

• Open your books to page 12.
• Please sit down.
• Raise your hands.
• You have 5 minutes.
• Make a line at the door.

What is classroom English?

Classroom English is words, expressions and phrases that are often used during an English lesson. For example, things that deal with giving instructions or asking permission. You can often find them in beginning ESL textbooks.

Did you like these Classroom English Activities?

Yes? Then you’re going to love this book over on Amazon: 101 ESL Activities for Kids. The key to better English classes with children is a wide variety of games and activities and this book will help you get there in style.

Pick up your copy today and get ready for better English classes tomorrow:

Class Room Language: Join the Conversation

Do you have a go-to activity or game for teaching classroom English? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think about it. We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2022-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API