Not all ESOL games and activities are created equal, and how you set them up is just as important as which activity you choose.
Not all ESL games and activities are created equal, and how you set them up is just as important as which activity you choose.
If you want to see how effective your favorite classroom activity is, take the quiz: How Effective Are Your ESOL Activities?
Don't worry. It opens in a new window. You can take the quiz and then come right back here to keep reading.
What Makes ESOL Activities or Games Effective?
Here are some guidelines that will help you choose or redesign your activities to make sure that you get the most out of your time with your students.
Here are the six main guidelines for effective ESL/ELL activities:
Activities Should Be Quick and Simple to Explain
Activities Should Be Student-Moderated
Everyone Should Be Involved the Whole Time
Activities Should be Fun and Interesting
Every Student Should Get a Lot of Practice
Students Should Be Challenged At a Level That Is Not Too Hard and Not Too Easy
There is a lot you can do to help make an activity both fun and effective, but the list above provides a nice set of guidelines to think through when you are lesson planning.
Basically, the more you can get every student participating throughout activity and practicing the material, the more effective your activity will be.
I put together a pdf on how to set up effective activities that you can download and print for yourself so that you can have it next to you while you are doing your lesson planning. It includes some fun activity ideas you can use in your classes right away.
If you tell me what age group you teach below and where to send your free pdf, I'll get it out to you right away.
More ESOL Activities and Games
If you are just looking for some activity ideas, you can find a list of games and activities for vocabulary, grammar & speaking, reading and conversation by hitting the button below.
Thank you. I teach 4th grade.
You’re welcome, Madeleine! I hope it was helpful.