TEFL Games For Young Learners

As a TEFL teacher, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is keeping young learners engaged and motivated during class. This is where TEFL games come in! Another of our “TEFL Teacher Essentials”, they’re a fun and effective way to help students learn and retain new material AND they come in handy when trying to implement the principles of ESL classroom management! In this review, we’ll explore five of the best TEFL games for young learners and how they can be used to create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Five Great TEFL Games For Young Learners

1.Hot Potato Game

The Hot Potato Game is a classic game that’s easy to play and always a hit with young learners. In this game, students pass a ball or stuffed animal around the classroom while music plays. When the music stops, the student holding the ball has to answer a question or perform a task related to the lesson. This game helps students practice ESL vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills while also improving their hand-eye coordination.

2. Simon Says

Simon Says is another classic game that can be adapted for any age group and language level. In this game, the teacher gives commands starting with “Simon says” and students must follow the command. If the teacher doesn’t say “Simon says” before the command, students shouldn’t follow it. This game helps students practice listening skills and following directions, and can be adapted to practice specific vocabulary or grammar structures.

3. Board Race

This is my personal favorite, and is especially useful as a back-up activity. Board Race is a game that can be used to review vocabulary, grammar, or any other topic covered in class. To play, divide the class into two teams and have them line up at the board. The teacher calls out a word or question and the first student in each team must race to the board and write the correct answer. This game helps students practice writing, spelling, and recall while also promoting healthy competition and teamwork.

4. Memory Game

The Memory Game is a simple yet effective game that can be used to practice vocabulary or grammar structures. To play, prepare a set of flashcards with words or phrases related to the lesson. Lay the cards face down on a table and have students take turns flipping over two cards to try to find a matching pair. This game helps students practice memory skills and can be adapted to practice any topic or skill.

5. Bingo

Bingo is a fun and interactive game that can be used to practice any language skill. To play, prepare bingo cards with words or phrases related to the lesson. Call out the words or phrases randomly and students mark the corresponding squares on their bingo card. The first student to get a line or a full card wins. This game helps students practice listening skills, vocabulary, and spelling while also promoting healthy competition and teamwork.

TEFL Games For Young Learners – Final Thoughts

TEFL games for young learners are a great way to make classes more engaging and dynamic. They provide an opportunity for students to practice language skills in a fun and interactive way, and can be adapted to practice any topic or skill. When choosing games, remember to tailor them to the needs and interests of your students and to always have a clear learning objective in mind – remember to use  your ESL lesson plan to define these objectives! With the right games and a little creativity, you can create a positive and enjoyable learning environment that will keep your students motivated and eager to learn.