ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course
  • Learn English
    • Learn English
    • Confusing English Words

in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

ESL Speaking Bingo | Conversation Bingo Game for Kids and Adults

Bingo, it’s a classic ESL Game that most teacher’s like to play in class. The only real problem is that it’s not exactly an educational experience. This twist on the classic Bingo turns it into a serious listening and vocabulary review activity. Keep on reading to find out more about ESL Speaking (and listening) Bingo.

ESL-speaking-bingo

ESL speaking Bingo game

How to Play ESL Speaking Bingo

Skills: Speaking/listening/writing

Time: 20-30 minutes

Level: High-Beginner to Advanced

Materials Required: Blank “Bingo” grids, or blank paper

ESL Speaking Bingo is a very fun activity that kids, teenagers as well as university students seem to love. Have a list of about 35-40 vocabulary words that you’ve been studying (on the PPT works well). If you use less, the game will be over very quickly.

Give the students a pre-made Bingo Grid, or have them draw a 5×5 grid. Then the students fill in the grid randomly from the list of words on the board or PowerPoint. Then, choose someone to go first (rocks-scissor-paper, draw numbers out of a hat, according to the attendance sheet, etc.).

The first student describes a word, but doesn’t actually say the word. The next person describes another word and on it goes, just like a regular Bingo game, but the students are speaking the whole time. You can do variations, such as “1 line,” “2 lines,” “X-Bingo” and “Blackout. ”

This talking bingo variation works best in smaller classes of ten or less.

What about ESL Bingo With Bigger Classes?

In bigger classes, the teacher can describe the words but it becomes solely a listening and writing exercise instead of a speaking one. Listening bingo certainly isn’t a bad thing though so consider trying it out. And, it is certainly heavier on the listening skills that just simply saying the target vocabulary item.

Another way to do it would be to put students in small groups of 6-8 to play together; there are two benefits—there’s more student talking time and it becomes more of a strategic game because each student can keep an eye on their opponent’s boards.

Teaching Tips for ESL Bingo

One important strategy to increase fluency that our students need to practice is producing synonyms of a word they don’t know, or if can’t remember the exact one that they want. This conversation Bingo game is an excellent way to focus on this.

No Prep Variation for this ESL Bingo Game

ESL speaking bingo requires absolutely no prep-time if you are given a class at the last minute and need something to fill the time. Simply ask the students what they’ve been studying the past few days or weeks and if they say, “animals,” then ask them to tell you all the animals they know and write them on the board and that will form the list they have to choose from as they prepare their boards.

Highlighters Work Best for Conversation Bingo

Ask the students to use a highlighter or just an “x” over the words instead of scribbling it out entirely with their pens. This way, you are able to check their answers in case of a Bingo.

Step-by-Step Instructions for ESL Bingo, Speaking Style

1. Prepare blank Bingo grid photocopies beforehand (or students can draw their own on paper), as well as a list of vocab words (PowerPoint works well). Something like months of the year is certainly a nice choice (more ideas here: ESL Months of the Year Activities)

2. Students fill in the conversation Bingo grid with their chosen words.

3. The first student chooses a word and describes it, using hints but not the word itself. You can choose the order of who describes words any number of ways: drawing numbers, seating arrangement, alphabetical order, etc.

4. All students cross off that word if they have it on their Bingo grid. The next student describes a word and so on. For bigger classes, the teacher will need to describe the words instead of the students and then it becomes more of a listening bingo game than a talking bingo activity.

5. The first student to get one line is the winner. The next winner is two lines, then “X,” and then “blackout. ” My rule is that you can’t win more than one round for this classroom game.

esl-bingo-game

ESL bingo game

More ESL Talking Bingo Games

This is certainly not the only talking bingo game out there. Here are some of the other variations that you might want to consider trying out with your students:

ISL Collective

All ESL

Teacher Joe

Do you Like this ESL Speaking Activity?

101 ESL Activities: For Teachers of Kids (6-13) Who Want to Have Fun, Engaging and Interactive...
101 ESL Activities: For Teachers of Kids (6-13) Who Want to Have Fun, Engaging and Interactive...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Smith, Jennifer Booker (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 133 Pages - 03/31/2016 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

Did you like ESL Bingo? Then you’re going to love this book, available on Amazon: 101 ESL Activities for Kids. 

The key to happy, engaged students is a variety of interesting activities and games that you can use throughout the course. This book will help you do exactly that.

Well Organized By Skill

The best part though? The book is well organized into various sections, including speaking, writing, reading, listening, review, 4-skills, etc. You should be able to find what you’re looking for in under a minute.

Mostly Low Prep ESL Activities

Then, most of the activities are low prep or no prep so that you put it together in the few minutes before class. Love it? I know that most teachers do!

Available in Various Formats

You can get this ESL Activity Book for Kids on Amazon in both print and digital formats. Keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office as a handy reference guide.

Or, bring a copy on your phone or tablet to your favourite coffee shop for lesson planning on the go. You can read the book on any device by downloading the free Kindle reading app. It’s easier than ever to have better English lessons!

Shop Now

Check out the book for yourself over on Amazon, but only if you want some more ESL awesome in you life:

—>101 ESL Activities: For Kids 6-13<—

What do you Think about Speaking Bingo?

Do you play Bingo with your English students? Do you have any variations that you like to use? Leave a comment below and share your tips with us. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy teachers, like yourself find this useful resource.

ESL-Bingo

ESL Speaking Bingo

 

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

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 60 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok
Pinterest
Instagram

« Valentines Day Idioms: Fun Expressions for Valentine’s Day
Fortunately Unfortunately Speaking and Listening Activity »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners
Check Price on Amazon
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

Search this site

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

ESL Phrasal Verbs: Games, Activities, Lesson Plans & Worksheets

ESL Conversation Activities for Adults | ESOL Speaking Activities Adult

Adverbs of Frequency ESL Activities, Games, Worksheets, Lesson Plans

Tell a Story, ESL style | ESL Speaking Adults

Choose your Own Adventure ESL Writing Activity

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Check Price on Amazon
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
Check Price on Amazon
Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources
  • Learn English

Our Top-Seller

Sale 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

manners would u rather questions for kids

20 Kids Would You Rather Questions About Manners

easy trivia questions

50 Easy Trivia Questions for Kids with Answers

present-perfect-for-and-since

Present Perfect For and Since Activities, Worksheets, Lesson Plans

road trip activities

10 Fun Road Trip Activities for All Ages

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2023 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.