Learning a new language can be tough. Sometimes, it takes a lot of time and energy spent studying the language. One way of making it a little more fun, and perhaps easier, is to use learning games! You can find many fun games online or in stores that will help you learn new words and phrases and help boost your confidence.
FLASH CARDS
Making your own flash cards to use is a great way of learning English. If you make your own flash cards, you can be tested by people on certain vocabulary that you know or need to know. This is a great way of testing your memory of words and phrases that you may not hear all the time.
HANG MAN
If you love to play games with a friend who is also learning English, this is a great way of doing so. Use this game to test each other for words that may be difficult to spell. This game will test just how great you are at spelling.
TABOO
In this game, one player has a card listing four words:
- The first word is the secret word. The aim of the game is to get another player to say this word. The student with the card will need to describe this word until another student figures out what the secret word is.
- The other three words are the most obvious words that you might use to explain the secret word. They are all “taboo” and cannot be used in the student’s description of the secret word.
This game can be played between two teams. It can also be played between partners.
You can create your own sets of words based on what you’ve been studying, or you can find sets in your textbook and on the Internet.
LORD OF THE FLIES
Ideal for the advanced ESL/EFL student already applying his or her English abilities to its literary canon, this game comes courtesy of the Nobel Prize and promotes its Literature award. Players relive the scenarios outlined in William Golding’s scorching allegorical novel and pick up on its myriad nuances. View it here.
FUN BRAIN WORD GAMES ONLINE
Funbrain Words’ games and activities are meant to be enjoyed between children and their parents or teachers rather than alone. Here, they practice their spelling, grammar, and vocabulary skills. BBC Bitesize also has English games, which are aimed at schools but can also be a little fun for elementary to intermediate levels. Click to view here.
PHONE APPS
There are a number of different apps that you can download from your smartphone or tablet’s app store. These games can then be played anywhere that you are, whenever you have free time. They range in difficulty and style, giving you the choice to pick whichever one you want to play.
FUN ENGLISH LEARNING GAMES RESOURCE
A great site with games, activities and tips, categorised into topics and grammar points. Check it out here.
