ESL Vocabulary Games: Describe, Repeat and Review.

Discover Engaging Vocabulary Games for Your Students

ESL vocabulary games play a crucial role in reinforcing students’ comprehension and activation of new words and phrases. From food names and colours to technical terms, email phrases, conversation interruption techniques, and idioms, vocabulary learning covers an extensive range of categories. Our TEFL vocabulary games encompass various vocabulary areas, offering diverse and engaging ways to help your students excel.

Alphabet and spelling games

Adult learner-focused spelling games and activities that familiarize students with the English alphabet.

Numbers, time and dates

Activities to practice using numbers, times, and dates, including the popular Number Bingo activity.

Comparative adjectives and superlatives 

Students categorize adjectives with Venn diagrams and roll dice to elicit comparisons and superlative forms.

Categories game

Teams race to find words fitting each vocabulary category in this easy-to-set-up game.

Guess the sounds

Students identify and name various sounds.

Jeopardy

A popular ESL vocabulary game that’s perfect for concluding a course or celebrating the holiday break.

Kim’s game

Test students’ memories and practice ‘there is’ and ‘there are’ by collecting random household items.

Pass the bomb

An exciting game that energizes the classroom and encourages vocabulary practice.

Phrasal Verb Match-Up

Help students recognize phrasal verbs with this interactive game.

Picture taboo

A calmer version of Taboo where students describe objects for their classmates to guess.

Scatter Sheets

Increase students’ vocabulary and speaking confidence with this simple yet effective activity. Also available a useful photocopiable book.

Scavenger hunt

Encourage outdoor learning on sunny afternoons with a vocabulary-focused scavenger hunt.

Taboo

A popular game where students compete to define words for their teammates.

The recipe game

Students showcase their culinary creativity by creating unique recipes.

What’s in your fridge?

Practice countable and uncountable nouns and quantifiers with this engaging game.

Who lives in a house like this?

Students examine photos of their classmates’ homes and guess which photo belongs to whom.

Puzzles and Worksheets

Collaborative Crosswords

Introduce related vocabulary with this exercise, where students describe new words to each other.

Crosswords

Review vocabulary or introduce themes with crosswords and half-crosswords.

Mixed up idioms

Printable idiom worksheets for learning and practicing popular English expressions.

Holiday Activities

Valentine’s Day

Assorted activities to celebrate love and friendship.

Halloween Activities

Spooky games and activities to do on or before October 31, including a half crossword and a guess the sound quiz.

Bonfire Night Activities

Explore the infamous events of November 5 with engaging activities.

Christmas and New Year

Celebrate the festive season with fun and educational activities.

If you like these ESL vocabulary games, make sure to check out our page of ESL grammar games too.