Word guessing games

First play with the whole class and then try in groups (good for mixed ability groups).

Guess the word

• This game is good for more abstract words.
• Choose five words relating to recent conversational themes.
• Write sets of clues to help students guess the words.
• Example clues (word = freedom):
  • I am a noun but I am very important.
  • I begin with the letter 'f'.
  • People in prison have lost it and want it back.
  • People demand it when it is taken away by dictators.
  • It can be related to speech.

Coffee pot

• This game is good for practising and reviewing action verbs and adverbs.
• Ask one student to leave the room.
• The rest of the class chooses a verb, e.g. type, ski, fly.
• The student returns to the room and asks questions to guess the verb.
• The missing verb can be substituted with 'coffee pot'.
• Example questions:
  • Why do you coffee pot?
  • Where do you coffee pot?
  • Do you coffee pot by yourself?
  • Do you need any special equipment for coffee potting?

These activities first appeared on the British Council Language Assistant website.