ESL Vocabulary Activities & Games | TEFL Vocabulary Games

Do you need to mix things up a little bit in your ESL or EFL classes when teaching vocabulary? Then you are most certainly in the right place. Keep on reading for our top picks for ESL vocabulary games and activities.

Let’s get into the best ELL vocabulary games to try out with your students today.

ESL Vocabulary Games and Activities

Teaching English vocabulary is traditionally quite boring for the students as well as the teacher. I remember back to when I taught in a Korean university and I signed up to work at a winter camp. I was assigned “vocabulary” to teach each group of students for two hours a day for two weeks.

It was certainly less interesting than something like a conversation, or even writing, but I made it work! I just used lots of activities to make it as fun as possible for the students.

Vocabulary doesn’t have to be tedious if you use some games with your students. They’re guaranteed to get your students talking, thinking and most important of all: remembering and knowing how to use those words they’ve been studying.

Keep on reading for the ell vocabulary games you might want to use in your classes.

#1 TEFL Vocabulary Games: Error Correction Relay Race

Correcting errors is a very important skill for language learners but it’s often quite boring and students usually don’t like to do it. However, you can make the old new again with this exciting relay race that the students will enjoy.

It’s the ultimate way to review grammar from a previous lesson, as well as throw in some recycled vocab.

Learn more about it here: Error Correction Relay Race.

#2: Concentration Memory Game

This vocab game ESL helps out your students by getting them to grasp words and definitions. It’s perfect as a kind of test right after you introduce a new set of words that they need to know. It doesn’t deal with context (when you should actually use that word), but that can come later. Students need to know basic definitions first.

You can use this for beginners with a picture and the corresponding word. For advanced students, you might want to use the word and then a synonym. Or, the target word and the definition. Whatever the case, be sure to use a laminating machine so that you can recycle the cards from year to year.

Some topics that work particularly well for this are simple nouns and include things like animals, weather, sports, food or jobs. Or, you might want to use opposite adjectives.

Find out more here about this fun ESL vocabulary game: Concentration Memory Game for ESL Students.

#3: Flashcards Games and Activities

I’m ALL about using flashcards for helping students remember new vocabulary using pictures. Check out how one teacher uses them in his classes here:

#4: Disappearing Text TEFL Vocabulary Game

If you’re looking for a quick warm-up or time-killer, this is your activity! The only requirement is that students are able to read a sentence with reasonable ease.

It’s a perfect time-filler for those last couple of minutes of dead time at the end of a class that you need to fill. Check it out here:

Disappearing Text ESL Activity.

#5: Dialogue Substitution

Textbooks always have dialogues in them but their effectiveness is reduced because students often just glaze over them without really learning what they’re supposed to learn from them. However, by using this vocabulary activity for ESL students, you can help them out.

Find out how to use this in your classes here: Dialogue Substitution.

#6 ESL Vocabulary Games: Apples to Apples

This is the ultimate vocabulary game for ESL students because it deals with meanings and contexts. You can make the cards yourself, or get the students to help you out. Or, if your students are more advanced, you can use the ready-made Apples to Apples game.

I recommend laminating them if you make your own because you’ll likely be playing this game all semester. If you play only one game for English language learners, this is the one it should be!

Don’t forget to bring a little prize for the winner of course!

Find out more here: Apples to Apples for ESL Students.

#7 ELL Vocabulary Game: Charades for English Learners

If your classes have been heavy on the vocabulary, then you may want to consider doing this quick review game. It’s like you’ve probably played it at parties where the person has to act out something and the rest of their team has to guess what it is. In this case, you’d want to use words that have been recently covered in class.

Find out more about it right here: ESL Charades.

#8 Teaching ESL Vocabulary Game: Vocabulary Auction

If you want to have a really fun class, then you’ll need to check this game out. It does require a decent amount of prep work, but the results are usually so worth it! However, I’ll generally not go to the trouble to do it unless I’ll be using this activity for at least a few of my classes.

It works just as well for kids, teens or adults. However, it’s not ideal for total beginners because they usually don’t know enough English words to define the ones they do know with other ones! I’ve used it very successfully for a unit on teaching continents and oceans. 

The way it works is that you auction of words. Then, as the end, students try to win back their money by correctly defining the words that they’ve chosen. Does it sound like a fun way to review English vocabulary? You can find out more about it right here:

ESL Vocabulary Auction

#9 Vocab for ESL Students: Word Association

This is a quick vocabulary activity that can be used to help students activate prior knowledge about a topic. Depending on a number of factors (age, amount of time, level of students, class size, etc.), I’ll have students do this together in small groups, or we’ll do it together as a class.

Basically, students have to make a mind map of words related to whatever the topic of the day is in your classes. It’s quick, simple and requires nothing in the way of preparation or materials. We love having a few of these kinds of activities in our back pocket!

You can find out more about this ESL vocabulary game right here: Word Association.

#10: Twenty Questions

#11: Flip-Chart TEFL Vocabulary Game

If you want to review some new English words in a fun, engaging way, then you’ll definitely want to check this activity out. The way it works is that you divide students up into two teams (it works best for classes of fewer than 10), and the first team sends a captain to the board.

You show the rest of her team the first word from the flip-chart held behind the captain so that she can’t see it. The rest of the team has to describe the word in English and the captain has to guess what it is. They try to get as many points as possible within the allotted amount of time.

It’s a fun vocabulary game for ESL students that you’ll want to check out: Vocab Flip-Chart Review Activity.

#12: 120/90/60 Speaking Activity

#13: Vocabulary Word Hunt

This is a simple way to test and help improve your students’ vocabulary. There are lots of these word hunts online, or you can consider making some of your own related to the words that you’ve been teaching your students.

Learn more about this fun ESL words game here:

ESL Vocabulary Word Hunt

#14: ESL Suffix Activities

A suffix is basically an English part of speech that’s added to the ends of words to make other words or change the meaning in some way. If students already know lots of basic vocabulary, teaching them about suffixes is a nice way to expand their range in a simple way.

Do you want to find out more and check out some activity recommendations? Then you’ll certainly want to check this out for more ESL vocabulary activities:

ESL Suffix Games and Activities.

#15: ESL Vocabulary Activities

Another idea for you. Check out this short video below for something you can do in your classes:

#16: Comparative and Superlative Activities

Teaching students about comparative and superlative adjectives is a nice way to expand their vocabulary. It’s likely that they already know words like small and big, but you can also teach them smaller/smallest and bigger/biggest.

The good news is that there are a ton of fun games and activities you can use to teach your students about these adjectives. Find out more details right here:

ESL Comparative and Superlative Adjectives Activities.

#17: Food and Drink Vocabulary Ideas

#18: Surveys, an ESL Vocabulary Activity

One of my favourite ways to review new vocab with my students is to do some surveys. Besides being a great way to reinforce new words, they’re also perfect for covering a range of skills and getting sleepy students out of their seats and moving around the classroom.

Just ask my students—they’ll tell you that surveys are certainly one of my favourite TEFL activities. Find out more details about them here:

ESL Questionnaires and Surveys.

#19: Talking Bingo Vocabulary Games

Of course Bingo is a nice way to review vocabulary, but I like to add a twist to it. A talking element for the students if I have a smaller class, or a serious listening and vocabulary challenge with a bigger one. It’s certainly better than just simply stating the word and then students crossing it off their list.

Want to know more about this Bingo variation that’s one of the best vocabulary games ESL? Then you’ll want to check this out:

Talking Bingo Game.

#20: Running Dictation

Another TEFL vocabulary game to consider is running dictation. Besides reviewing new vocabulary, it’s perfect for covering all 4 skills and it’s also just plain fun! Honestly, try it out with sleepy, bored classes and you’ll love the results. Want to know more about this awesome ESL game? Find out here:

Running Dictation Game.

#21: English Expressions and Phrases

Of course, much of what students should learn in terms of vocabulary are things like expressions, phrases, idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs and similar things. This is especially true when students get to a higher level.

Here’s one example of some comm0n English phrases around a certain topic, asking for permission:

English Expressions to Ask Permission.

#22: Telephone ESL Words Game

I’m sure you’ve played the telephone game before (also known as Chinese Whispers). The way it works is that you say a sentence to the first student and it gets passed down the line. Of course, you should choose a sentence filled with lots of new words to make it into an ELL vocabulary game. Learn more about this ELL word game here:

ESL Telephone Game.

#23: Five Senses Vocabulary Activity

If you want to help students expand their vocabulary related to descriptive words, then try out this fun speaking or writing activity. It’s versatile in that it can be done in groups or alone a well.

Bring in a common object. For example, an apple or a can of Coke. Then, have students describe it using words that fall under each of the five senses. Check it out:

Five Senses ESL Activity.

#24: Advanced English Conversation Dialogues in American English

If you want to help students learn and remember new phrases and idioms, then consider picking up this book on Amazon: Advanced English Conversation Dialogues. It’s perfect to use in class, or for students to study individually.

Help students speak more fluently in American English with this book!

#25: Think about Graded Language for ELL Vocabulary

There are, of course, a ton of theories for how people learn the language. But one of the most popular ones is the idea that students should be exposed to large amounts of language that is just slightly above their level. They can do this through extensive reading (books, newspapers, etc.) or listening (podcasts, movies, etc.) but we can also give students some of this type of listening in our classes.

A great way to do this is to think about our language and how we grade in terms of speed and difficulty of grammar and vocabulary. Interested in knowing more? You should check this out:

Grading Language ESL.

#26: Business English Vocabulary

If you teach businessmen or women, then consider teaching them some business English vocabulary, including idioms, phrases, and expressions. Check out these dialogues for a variety of business situations in American English.

#27: Typhoon Review Game

If you’re looking for a fun review game that’s ideal for helping students remember new vocab words, then look no further than Typhoon! It’s fun, engaging, as well as ideal for students of all ages. Design the questions to target whatever vocabulary you’d like to review and go from there. Find out more about it here:

ESL Typhoon Game.

#28: Hot Potato

#29: Basketball TEFL Vocabulary Game

If you’re looking for an ESL vocabulary game that’s perfect for kids, look no further than this basketball challenge. It’s perfect for reviewing vocabulary or grammar as it’s fun, interactive and engaging. Try it out for yourself:

ESL Basketball. 

#30: ESL Opposites 

Some English vocab to consider for beginners is opposites. There are a lot of fun activities to do with them and it’s a nice way for students to learn a different mix of adjectives not related to any particular topic. Here are some of my best ideas:

ESL Opposite Games.

#31: Teaching TEFL Vocabulary With Movies

Whenever students ask me how to improve their English vocab, I always tell them to watch movies and TV. This is a nice way to learn English in a natural way.

However, I also like to movies films and TV shows in class for ESL vocabulary activities. Most students really enjoy watching TV, so why not bring that into the classroom too? Here are some of my tips and activities for doing this:

Teaching English with Movies.

#32: Functional English

Functional language is the language that you need to get things done at work and in the real world. Giving directions, asking permission, making a request, and giving advice are all examples of this. It can be really useful to devote some class time to these important skills. Have a look here:

Teaching Functional English.

#33: Dictogloss

#34: Classroom Language

For beginners, it makes sense to teach some classroom English. It will help make the rest of your classes go more smoothly if students can understand basic directions such as sit down, stand up, open your books, get a pencil, etc. Here are some of my best ideas for teaching these important classroom phrases and expressions:

Teaching Classroom Language.

#35: Debates

A fun way to get students using new vocabulary is to have a friendly debate about a topic related to the lesson of the day. If you need some good debate topic ideas, have a look here:

Things to Debate About.

#36: Don’t Forget to Use an ESL Warmer

#37: ESL Reading Comprehension Short Stories

One of the best ways to help students improve their English vocabulary range is to use some short stories. They’re ideal for picking up vocab in a more natural way. Here’s one of my top recommendations:

 ESL Reading Comprehension Short Stories.

#38: More Ideas for Teaching English

#39: Odd One Out ESL Vocab Game

#40: Vocab Sheets 

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for vocabulary lesson plans, then consider these scatter sheets. They’re designed for intermediate to advanced teenagers and adults. You can just print off the lesson and take it to class. Yes, it really is that easy! Find out more here:

Vocab Sheets.

#41: A-Z Alphabet Game

#42: Singular and Plural Noun Activities

For English nouns, a key concept is whether something is singular or plural. Check out these activities to help students out with that:

Singular and Plural Noun Games and Activities.

#43: Activities for Teaching Modals

A key vocabulary set for students to know is modals. They do a huge range of functions in the English language, from asking permission to talking about abilities. Check out some of the best ideas here:

Teaching Modals Activities.

#44: Information Gap Games and Activities

#45: Teach Academic English

If students are planning on going to an English-speaking college or university, then it’s certainly worth it to spend some time teaching academic English. Check out one of the best resources:

Real World Academic English.

#46: I’m Going on a Picnic Game

Try out this fun game to review vocab and notice patterns. Check it out:

I’m Going on a Picnic.

#47: Jobs and Occupations Quiz

#48: ESL Board Games

Try out a fun board game with your students to review new vocabulary. It’s easy to make your own for just about any topic!

Shouldn’t Students Learn Vocabulary At Home?

That’s an excellent question and I’m happy that you asked. New words are one of those things that kind of lends itself very easily to rote memorization. It’s often the ONLY way for vocabulary to be 100% solid inside the brain.

However, the teacher does still has a role. You can introduce new words along with a context so that students know when, and how to use it.

You can also use activities or vocab games ESL like these to help students become familiar with hearing and seeing them. When they study on their own, if they’ve already seen the word at least a few times in your classes, it’ll be all that much easier for them to remember it.

Sure, rote memorization certainly plays a role, but you can meet your students half-way with this kind of thing. And of course, have regular vocabulary quizzes so that students will be motivated to do the home study thing too!

How to Remember Words?

A common question that my students have is how to remember new vocabulary words. Here are some of the tips and tricks that I tell them:

• Consider extensive reading. This is basically reading something at a slightly lower level for fun and this helps to ensure that students see new vocabulary words in context, frequently.
• Use extensive listening. Listen to English songs, podcasts or watch TV and movies without the subtitles. Students will be able to hear new words in context.
• Keep a vocabulary notebook with new words in it and review it frequently.
• Make some flashcards with new words on them and the translation. Study both sides and mix up the cards frequently so as not to memorize them in any certain order.
• Challenge a friend to learn new words together. Make quizzes for each other every week or so.
• Learn how to use a dictionary. They are very useful tools for remembering new vocabulary words.
• Aim high but not too high. Most students can successfully learn 8-10 new words a day.
• Use a phone app. There are plenty of great programs that are designed for vocabulary learning. Find one that works well for you.
• Consider studying collocations and phrases. Certain things are often heard together. For example, lunchbreak, thunderstorm, open your book, etc. Study these things together!

Do you have any tips for how to remember new words? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

Do you Like these vocabulary activities?

Yes? Thought so. Then you’re going to need to check out this book over on Amazon: 39 ESL Vocabulary Activities for Teenager and Adults. It’s lesson planning made easy, guaranteed.

The key to happy, engaged students who are having fun while learning English is a variety of interesting activities. If you teach vocabulary, this is the book that’ll help you do just that.

The key to learning new words is repetition. Sure, your students can study at home but this is sometimes not that realistic. You can really help your students out by doing some of this in class.

The book is available in both digital and print formats. Keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office as a handy reference guide. Or, take a copy with you for lesson planning on the go in your favourite coffee shop.

Check it out for yourself here, but only if you want some more ESL awesome in your life, okay?

ESL Vocabulary FAQs

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

How do I teach ESL Vocabulary?

There are a number of factors to consider when teaching ESL vocabulary. They include the following:

• Use a context to make new words more memorable.
• Help students activate their prior knowledge about a topic if applicable.
• Consider age.
• Aim for around 5-10 new words per lesson.
• Use images and drawings.
• Use realia (objects) to present certain types of vocabulary.
• Have students keep track of new words in a special notebook.

How do I present new vocabulary ESL?

For ESL lessons, there are a number of creative ways to present new vocabulary. Here are some of the best ideas:

• Using realia/objects.
• In a listening exercise.
• In a reading passage.
• By watching a video of some kind.
• Using pictures.
• In a song or chant.

Most importantly, present new vocab words in a context so that they will be more memorable.

How can I teach children new English words?

What are some fun ways to teach new vocabulary?

There are lots of fun ways to teach new vocabulary in a language class. Some of the best ideas include A to Z games, running dictation, Bingo, charades, dictionary, mad libs, storytelling, cloze activities, telephone, surveys and more.

What are vocabulary items?

Vocabulary items are words that language learners want to learn. The best way to do this is through repetition and learning them in context. Teachers can assist with this process by selecting the most popular words and then doing a variety of language activities to reinforce them.

Tips for Teaching ESL Vocab

Teaching new vocabulary to English learners requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to ensure effective comprehension and retention. Here are some tips to help you teach new vocabulary more successfully:

Context is Key

Introduce new vocabulary within a context or theme. This helps students understand the word’s meaning and usage in real-life situations.

Use Visual Aids

Incorporate pictures, diagrams, flashcards, or real objects to help learners associate the new words with visual representations.

Provide Clear Definitions

Offer simple and concise definitions of new words. Use language appropriate for your students’ proficiency level.

Use Synonyms and Antonyms

Help learners grasp the nuances of words by providing synonyms (similar words) and antonyms (opposite words) for the new vocabulary.

Use Contextual Sentences

Demonstrate how the new words are used in sentences. This helps learners see how the words fit naturally within language.

Engage in Active Learning

Encourage students to use new vocabulary in speaking and writing exercises. Active practice enhances retention.

Chunk Information

Teach related words together, such as synonyms or words related to a specific topic. This makes it easier for learners to remember and use them.

Repetition and Review

Incorporate new vocabulary into multiple lessons to reinforce learning. Regularly review previously taught words to prevent forgetting.

Incorporate Real-life Situations

Create scenarios that mirror real-life situations where students might use the new words. This helps them understand the practical application.

Interactive Games

Use vocabulary games like Bingo, Pictionary, word puzzles, and matching games to make learning engaging and fun.

Use Multi-sensory Approaches

Combine auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements to appeal to different learning styles. Include listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

Connect to Prior Knowledge

Relate new vocabulary to words or concepts your students already know. This helps build on their existing language foundation.

Use Technology

Incorporate language learning apps, online quizzes, and interactive resources to add variety to your teaching methods.

Personalization

Encourage students to relate new words to their own lives. This creates a stronger connection and enhances memory.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Have discussions or activities that require students to think deeply about the meaning and usage of new words.

Cognates

If applicable, introduce cognates—words that are similar in the students’ native language—to aid understanding.

Feedback and Correction

Provide constructive feedback on how students use new vocabulary. Correct any errors gently to promote improvement.

Incorporate Real Reading Materials

Use authentic reading materials like news articles, short stories, or excerpts from books that naturally expose learners to new vocabulary.

Celebrate Progress

Praise and acknowledge students when they use new vocabulary correctly. Positive reinforcement boosts their confidence and motivation.

Encourage Vocabulary Journals

Have students maintain vocabulary journals to record new words, their definitions, example sentences, and personal connections.

Have your say about Teaching Vocabulary to ESL/EFL Students 

What is your favourite game or activity to help your students with English vocabulary? Did you try out one of the activities from this list? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API