1. It’s Game Time: Using Games in the ESOL Classroom
Presented by: Tiffany Young & Jessica Castro

2. Contact Us
Fun Fact
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3. Board games reduce ELLs’ speaking anxiety.
Fun Fact #1
Board games reduce ELLs’ speaking anxiety.
Chang, S., & Cogswell, J. (2008, April 3). Using Board Games in the Language Classroom [Scholarly project]. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from
Long, Mei & Min, Yeo. (2016). Effects of Board Game on Speaking Ability of Low-proficiency ESL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature /aiac.ijalel.v.5n.3p.261.
Castro

4. When speaking anxiety is reduced, performance increases and improves.
Fun Fact #2
When speaking anxiety is reduced, performance increases and improves.
Chang, S., & Cogswell, J. (2008, April 3). Using Board Games in the Language Classroom [Scholarly project]. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from
Long, Mei & Min, Yeo. (2016). Effects of Board Game on Speaking Ability of Low-proficiency ESL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature /aiac.ijalel.v.5n.3p.261.
Castro

5. Playing board games improves ELLs confidence and motivation to speak.
Fun Fact #3
Playing board games improves ELLs confidence and motivation to speak.
Chang, S., & Cogswell, J. (2008, April 3). Using Board Games in the Language Classroom [Scholarly project]. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from
Long, Mei & Min, Yeo. (2016). Effects of Board Game on Speaking Ability of Low-proficiency ESL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature /aiac.ijalel.v.5n.3p.261.
Castro

6. Students practice communication skills while playing board games.
Fun Fact #4
Students practice communication skills while playing board games.
Chang, S., & Cogswell, J. (2008, April 3). Using Board Games in the Language Classroom [Scholarly project]. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from
Long, Mei & Min, Yeo. (2016). Effects of Board Game on Speaking Ability of Low-proficiency ESL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature /aiac.ijalel.v.5n.3p.261.
Castro

7. Fun Fact #5
Board games can be adapted to various English language levels and content areas.
Chang, S., & Cogswell, J. (2008, April 3). Using Board Games in the Language Classroom [Scholarly project]. Retrieved August 27, 2018, from
Long, Mei & Min, Yeo. (2016). Effects of Board Game on Speaking Ability of Low-proficiency ESL Learners. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature /aiac.ijalel.v.5n.3p.261.
Castro

8. Memory Description: Students match pictures.
Language Domain(s): (for non-English speakers)
Castro

9. Heads Up
Description: Teacher has premade word cards. One student will put the card on his/her head. The others will describe the word as the student with the card tries to guess the word.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening, Reading
Variations:
Use content specific vocabulary
Use pictures
Writing option: With teacher direction, students will make their own word cards
Young

10. Picture Cards/Dice
*Recommendation: eeBoo brand story cards & Rory’s story cubes
Description: Students will look at picture cards or picture dice. They will either tell a story about the card/dice or write a story about the card/dice.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Writing
Variations:
Lower language level option: Students will tell words about their cards/dice or choose describing words from a word bank
Medium language level option: Students will tell sentences about their cards/dice
Higher language level option: Students will receive multiple cards/dice to use in a story
Castro

11. Guess Who
Description: A two player game where students attempt to guess which character their opponent has by asking specific yes/no questions.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening
Variations:
Lower language level option: Give students sentence frames
Lower language level option: Give students a list of adjectives
Young

12. Boggle
Description: Students make words out of a matrix of letter dice.
Language Domain(s): Writing
Variations:
Speaking option: Students can work in teams to create words.
Lower language level option: Lower word lengths (two letter words, three letter words)
Higher language level option: Increase word lengths (four letter words, five letter words
Castro

13. Scattergories
Description: Students roll a 26 letter die. Then they must come up with words for a variety of categories that begin with the letter rolled on the die.
Language Domain(s): Reading, Writing
Variations:
Choose easy categories
Create a die (cube made of paper) and use easier letters
Speaking option: Students can work in teams or with a partner
Lower language level option: Provide a word bank of options
Castro

14. Don’t Say It/Taboo
Description: This is a word guessing game. The students have to get their partners to guess the word on the student’s card without using the word itself or five additional words listed on the card.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening, Reading
Variations:
Low language level option: Students use the words that they aren’t allowed to say
Content specific vocabulary can be used
Young

15. Blurt
Description: Students race around a game board to win. Players listen to a definition and race to shout out the right word.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening, Reading
Variations:
Use content specific vocabulary
Lower language level option: Choose the vocabulary and definitions used
Lower language level option: Provide pictures
Young

16. I Spy
Description: Students take turns “spying” something in the classroom. They must give their classmates clues to help them guess what is “spied”.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening
Variations:
Give categories (colors, shapes, numbers, etc.)
Give students a list of choices to choose from (lower level)
Writing option: Teacher gives several clues and students have to write down their answers.
Reading option: Written descriptions given, instead of oral
Reading option: Hide vocabulary words around the room. Give clues to help students find the correct words
Castro

17. Apples to Apples Junior & Big Picture
Description: Students match their best red apple card to the green apple card. The best match wins the round.
Language Domain(s): Speaking, Listening, Reading
Variations:
Create your own cards.
Teacher can guide the lesson.
Big Picture is best for lower language level students.
Junior is best for higher language level students.
Castro

18. Contact Us Jessica Castro: castrje@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us
Tiffany Young:
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