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Three English as a Second Language (ESL) Classroom Activities to Save Any Class
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One of the benefits of working for English 1 in China is the great materials and technology. Interactive whiteboard (IWB) games, videos, and songs add to the fun of class, while also helping build important skills and providing opportunities to use language. Variety is the spice of life, though, and it's a good idea to keep a few 'low-tech' ESL classroom activities ready to go. Simpler games are great for intensive classes, but are useful all year round. In case the computer is on the fritz, you need a fun review activity or if the kids are simply too restless and need a more engaging activity than your original plan.
Here are some of the games I keep in my back pocket. They can be done with almost no preparation and adapted to meet a variety of levels and lessons. I like to call these activities KISS games: keeping it simple and silly!
1. Telephone/Chinese Whispers
This is a classic favourite that you probably remember from your childhood. I prefer to divide the class in half and have each team race while awarding points. It is a great game to get the children speaking, practise pronunciation, and help them memorise a grammar pattern. Variations are easy to introduce and can increase student engagement even further. I sometimes ask a question and have the team that is behind answer it, or have the student at the end find the flashcard that was whispered. I also use a similar game where a student answers my question before asking the same question to the next student.
2. Relay Writing Race
You can use two dry-wipe boards, paper or even the interactive whiteboard. Have two students or two teams of students stand at the other end of the room. They must race to copy or write something, making this an excellent spelling or sentence-building exercise. In a very low-level class, this can be as simple as a single letter, building up to words and then sentences in higher-level classes. Turning it into a relay race involves more students and can work well in classes that struggle with competitive activities, with students switching at each letter or word.
3. Categories
Give a topic and have students come up with words related to it. If they cannot think of a word or repeat one, they are out. This activity can also work with younger students by removing the competitive element or allowing repeated words. The topic can be adjusted to suit different levels. You might use simple themes such as animals and colours, phonics topics like a sound or alphabetical order, or more complex categories such as adjectives, countries, or even complete sentences and questions. You can change the topic each time a student is out or once everyone has contributed a word.
These are just a few of my favourite games, but it is always important to have something ready, just in case. You can draw on your own childhood favourites, use games suggested in the teacher notes, or ask colleagues for their go-to activities to build a collection of low or no-preparation options. Think about what suits your teaching style and your students. My own preference leans towards quieter games, but your style may be more energetic or physical.
Just make sure you know what your backup activity is. You will feel more confident if something unexpected happens and you have a reliable option ready. Choose something you are comfortable with but try not to rely on it too often as a planned lesson activity. You do not want your students to grow tired of it.