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

Functional English Games, Activities, Worksheets & Other Resources

If you’re looking for some of the best functional language games and activities, keep on reading for the top picks. Help students get things done with functional English.

functional-english-activities

Functional English teaching ideas

What is Functional English?

Functional English is language that is used to perform a function. For example, making requests, giving advice, complaining, disagreeing, asking permission, etc. Basically, it’s the language you use when you want to get something done! Here are some functional language examples:

  • Ask for directions
  • Agree
  • Ask a question
  • Describe someone
  • Describe a place
  • Give personal information
  • Extend an invitation
  • Make a request using modal verbs
  • Small talk
  • Talk to someone on the phone

Besides these ones, there are many, many more examples of function English. Keep on reading for some of the best ideas for teaching functional language to our students.

Functional English ESL Activities and Games

Let’s get into the best games, activities and ideas for teaching functional language.

#1: Asking for Permission

Asking and giving permission is one of the classic examples of functional English. Here are some of the best games and activities for teaching this important skill:

Asking for Permission ESL Activities.

#2: Expressing Likes and Dislikes

A common English function is to express a like or dislike and it’s in fact one of the first things found in all beginner ESL/EFL textbooks. There are lots of interesting ideas for teaching this:

ESL Likes and Dislikes.

#3: Talking about Locations

Prepositions are one of the key parts of speech that are used to talk about the locations of things in relation to other things. And it’s a textbook example of functional English. Check out some of my favourite ways to teach them:

ESL Prepositions.

#4 Functional English: Make a Prediction

One of the more advanced examples of functional English is to make predictions about the future. This requires some higher-level language skills and the future verb tenses as well as the use of things like conditionals. Have a look here at some of my favourite ideas:

Making Predictions ESL.

#5: Engaging in Small Talk

Small talk is one of those necessary English language skills that all students need to master. Of course, it has a very specific function as well—to get to know someone without revealing too much personal information about yourself. Have a look at some of my favourite activities:

ESL Small Talk.

function-english

Teaching English function language

#6: Comparing Things

In English, there is very specific language to compare things (comparatives) and also to express degree (superlatives). Being able to do this is an important English function that can be found in most beginner ESL textbooks. Here are some ideas for teaching it:

ESL Comparatives and Superlatives.

#7: Using Money

One of the most practical lessons in an English class for people heading to an English-speaking country is to teach students how to use money and talk about it as well. Here are some ideas:

ESL Money Activities.

#8: Describing Something using Functional English

One of the most common language functions is to be able to describe something, whether it’s a person, place or thing through the use of adjectives. Have a look at some of my top ideas here:

ESL Describing Something Ideas.

#9: Talking about Daily Schedules

Being able to talk about daily things and time is an important part of functional English. Have a look here at some of my ideas for teaching students this important skill:

Daily Schedule ESL.

#10 Functional Language Skill: Ordering Food

If you travel to another country, of course, you want to be able to order food in a restaurant! That’s why many people actually travel! These activities are functional English made fun. Have a look:

ESL Ordering Food Activities.

#11: Giving Directions (Functional English)

It’s very common in any language to ask for and give directions which makes it an important language function skill. The good news is that it can be quite a fun unit to teach! Have a look here at some of the best ideas:

ESL Giving Directions Activities.

#12: Writing Quickly

Writing in any language is a combination of fluency and accuracy. Both are required to write at the highest levels but most textbooks and many teachers focus almost exclusively on accuracy. Have a look here at this activity that focuses on writing quickly:

ESL Writing Fluency Activity.

#13: Using Reported Speech

Reported speech is a higher-level English language function. It’s basically reporting what you heard someone else say and it can get a little bit tricky with the grammar. Have your students practice it with some of these activities:

ESL Reported Speech.

#14: Giving Advice

People love to give advice and it’s a very important example of functional English. Here’s my favourite activity to help students practice it:

Agony Aunt ESL Advice Activity.

#15: Asking Questions

A large part of functional English is being able to ask and answer questions about a variety of topics. Have a look here at some ideas to practice this important skill:

ESL WH Questions.

#16: Using Modals

Check out some of these activities to teach modal verbs. Verbs like can, could, may and might really get things done in English!

#17: Classroom Language

One of the first things that students need to learn is classroom English. Things like:

  • Open your books to page ____.
  • Can I please go to the bathroom?
  • Sit down.

For some of the best ideas for teaching this kind of vocabulary, have a look here:

Classroom English.

Functional English FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about using function language. Here are some of the most popular ones.

What is functional English and examples?

Functional English is language that you need in day-to-day situations. For example, how to greet someone, introduce yourself or ask for directions.

Why is functional English important?

Functional English is important because it allows the learner to operate confidently and independently in an English-speaking environment in both life and at work.

What is the difference between functional English and English literature?

Functional English is the language necessary to operate in daily life while English literature is studying written works like novels, poetry, drama, etc. The main difference is how necessary the language is for life and work in an English-speaking country.

Did you like these Functional Language Ideas?

39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 74 Pages - 06/22/2021 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

Yes? Then you’re going to love this book that you can find over on Amazon: 39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities. It’ll help students get things done using English.

You can find the book in both digital and print formats. The key to better TEFL classes is a wide variety of interesting, engaging and interactive activities and this book will help you get there in style. Pick up your copy today for better English classes tomorrow:

check-price-on-amazon-button

Functional English: Join the Conversation

Do you have any activity ideas for teaching functional language for things like agreeing, disagreeing, asking for advice, giving directions, engaging in small talk, etc.? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

functional-language

Function language teaching ideas

Last update on 2022-04-17 / 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

« Countries and Nationality ESL Activities, Games & Lesson Plans
Ways to Keep a Conversation Going: Tips for English Learners »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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.

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

Search ESL Speaking

ESL Restaurant and Ordering Food Activities, Games, Worksheets & More

Present Perfect For and Since Activities, Worksheets, Lesson Plans

Common and Proper Noun Games, Activities, Worksheets & More

Teaching Contractions: ESL Games, Worksheets & Lesson Plans

Subject Verb Agreement Activities, Games, Worksheets and More

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

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

singular plural noun games

Singular and Plural Noun Games and Activities for ESL

modals games activities

Teaching Modals: Activities, Games, Worksheets & Lessons for ESL

conditionals-esl-activities

ESL Conditionals Games, Activities, Worksheets & Lesson Plans

indefinite-pronouns-activities

Indefinite Pronouns Activities and Games

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 © 2022 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.