Learning English Games

The class keep their flashcards flat on their desks, or hidden from the wolf. The wolf then turns round and must identify who replied by the sound of their voice. If the wolf does this successfully that person becomes the next wolf. Or you swap the wolf over each time.

Other Language Ideas Use any picture or word flashcards and play as described above but with alternative vocabulary and questions.

Classroom variant 5 with flashcards This variant is a little more lively,but still very manageable. Basic set up as above. The class hold up their flashcards (see variant 4) to the wolf. The wolf mentally picks one of the times he sees and turns away from the class. The class ask in unison, "What time is it Mr Wolf?"

Mr Wolf says "It's five o'clock", and then counts to four at a steady pace. The class members holding "five o'clock" may, if they choose to, quickly swap their card, or give it to a neighbour before the wolf turns around. Every one freezes. On the count of 4 the wolf turns round and tries to catch someone moving. The wolf then names the person he believes to be holding the 5 o'clock card. Top Where Is It? Category: Listening Group size: 2 to 30 Level: Beginners to Advanced Materials: Pen and paper or prepared pictures Age: 5 to 12 Pace: Calm The essence of this game is that you describe something and your group draw it. Using only pen and paper you can tell them to draw a house with 4 rooms. You can then tell them what to draw in each room, for example "The bed is in the bedroom", or "In the bedroom is a double bed, with two pillows and a pink duvet cover", or "Draw a bed.

There is a dog on the bed. There is a cat under the bed. Next to the bed there is a chair." Make it clear by a rapid sketch example on the board that this is not a Leonardo di Vinci competition, and that speed is of the essence.

Children can swap pictures and describe the picture to a partner. Children can also work in pairs with one child telling the other what to draw. If you have a mixed ability class put the children in groups and let the more advanced children describe a picture to their group.

This game suits prepositions and a broad range of vocabulary, as well as many different sentence structures. For intermediates you can tell a story in the past tense, which they draw onto their picture. Top Which One Has Gone? and Variants Category: Speaking - naming vocabulary Group size: 2 to 30 Level: Beginners to Advanced Materials: One set of picture cards or objects per group Age: 4 to 12