1. Piano Key Game
A classic classroom game where a few students hold word cards, and when the teacher says a word, the student holding that card jumps and reads it aloud. This helps with reading and reaction skills.
2. Squatting Radish
Similar to the piano key game but instead of jumping, students squat down. A simple change in the action can create different outcomes.
3. Slap Cards
Write words on the board, have a few students come up, and when the teacher says a word, the students slap and read it. See who is the fastest.
4. Ostrich Game
Two students stand back-to-back with two cards placed on their backs by the teacher. On the count of three, they turn around and try to read each other's card. The first one to correctly read the other's card wins.
5. Avoid the Tiger
Place word cards in a line on the floor. The teacher asks students to close their eyes while hiding a tiger card under one of the cards. Students take turns guessing which card has the tiger. If they guess wrong, they stay in the game; if right, they're out.
6. Names Chant
Students sit in a circle saying their names rhythmically. Incorporate hand movements like slapping thighs, clapping hands, snapping fingers to create a rhythm. As they get comfortable, have them say their name for three beats and the next person's name on the fourth beat.
7. Telephone Game
Practice listening and understanding sequences of numbers or phrases. Pass messages through a line of students as if making phone calls.
8. Color Blindfold
Review colors and clothing vocabulary. One student wears a blindfold while others describe items using "What color is...?" questions.
9. Bean Toss
Students toss beans into numbered egg cartons practicing counting and number recognition.
10. Magic Matchbox
Guess how many matches are inside a shaken box using target language structures like "Are there...?" Correct guesses earn matches; most matches at the end wins.
11. Draw, Fold, and Pass
Each group gets an A4 paper and color pens. They draw parts of a figure sequentially then use target language to describe it.
12. Tongxiangyu Restaurant Menu Game
Role-play ordering food at a themed restaurant using target language for menus and pricing.
13. Crocodile Pool Escape
Students form a circle with chairs; some are chosen randomly to answer questions. Those who answer correctly escape the "crocodile pool."
14. Mistaken Identity
Teacher makes deliberate mistakes (e.g., pointing to nose but saying "eyes") and students follow suit creating humorous interactions reinforcing body part vocabulary.
15. Friendship Circle
Students form concentric circles, walk opposite directions until stopping to practice greetings and introductions in English.
16. Guess Who?
One student faces away from class while another speaks English; guesser identifies speaker based solely on voice.
17. Body Letters
Groups use their bodies to form alphabet letters within a time limit competing for most formed.
18. Yes/No Questions Game
Using family member vocabulary, students ask yes/no questions to deduce roles played by opponents.
19. Pia Game
Interactive game involving rock-paper-scissors combined with pronouncing studied words while pretending to slap each other.
20. Lost Person Announcement
Students role-play searching for missing people describing physical traits in English.
21. Warm and Cold
Hide an object (like a pen); guide finder closer/farther via volume changes in collective chanting of its name.
22. Landmine Dodge
Designate certain words as 'landmines' that shouldn't be read aloud adding excitement during repetition drills.
23. Sentence Completion
Teacher begins sentences leaving blanks for students to fill promoting fluency.
24. Call and Response
Students respond appropriately only when statements match reality enhancing listening skills.
25. Ball Bounce Counting
Count bounces of a ball practicing numbers and addition expressions.
26. Chain Addition/Subtraction
Teams alternate giving math problems rapidly testing mental arithmetic.
27. Intentional Mistakes Reinforcement
Deliberately make errors prompting corrective responses solidifying vocabulary retention.
28. Role Assignment Listening
Assign roles during readings ensuring comprehension through physical responses.
29. Alphabet Rolling Ball
Test knowledge of alphabetical order through interactive ball passing activity.
30. Letter Matching Friends
Match uppercase/lowercase letter pairs quickly identifying similarities among students.
31. Pose and Guess Letters
Create letter shapes with bodies challenging peers to identify correctly.
32. Attendance Roll Call Letters
Use letters as names responding verbally upon hearing assigned letter improving listening skills.
33. Silent Alphabet Recitation
Recite alphabet silently substituting gestures for vowels assessing overall familiarity.