Home >> Games & Cards >> Games

Games to Learn English for Adults

Learning a second language--especially when you are beyond your teens--is often more difficult than learning when you are still in grade school. However, games can increase a person̵7;s interest in a given topic while increasing the speed of learning. Most games involve playing in groups, since social interaction is a necessary factor in the process of learning English.

̶0;Who Am I?̶1;
- This game allows the players to learn how to speak better English and facilitates interaction among students in the class. On pieces of paper, write the names of famous people like ̶0;Miley Cyrus̶1; or ̶0;Michael Jordan,̶1; making sure the names you use are those of well-known, popular personalities. Pin those slips of paper on the backs on each player. Every person then asks questions in English that will help him guess the name written on the paper attached to his back; note, however, that all questions must have ̶0;yes̶1; or ̶0;no̶1; answers. Learning the English language requires constant practice through simple conversations, which is exactly what this game fosters.
Banana Banana
- You can play this game when the entire class has finished learning vocabulary words for the day. Choose a story you wish the class to read, then single out a number of vocabulary words, making sure you include a definition for each. Allow each student to construct a sentence using a particular word. When you are done with the discussion, list all the vocabulary words on the white board and have everyone go over the words for a few minutes. Send one student out of the room and erase a word from the white board. On the count of three, instruct the students to shout ̶0;banana banana̶1; to signal that the student may reenter the room. The student should try to name the vocabulary word missing from the list.
Eight Count
- This game allows students to visualize the word the previous player uttered and think on their toes. The facilitator first groups students together, then has each group line up in front of the class. The facilitator should say a certain word, and then the first person in line must think of a word starting with the last letter of the word the facilitator uttered. For example, if the facilitator says ̶0;apple,̶1; the first player can come up with ̶0;egg.̶1; The player has eight hand claps to think of a word. This cycle continues until all but one in the group are eliminated. If a person does not come up with a correct response after the eight claps, he has to sit down.

Games