Actions ESL Games and Activities

ESL Action Verb Game - Vocabulary and Speaking: Bingo, Matching, Forming Sentences, Freer Practice - Group Work In this enjoyable action verbs game, students play bingo by matching action verbs with their definitions. In groups, the bingo caller reads a definition at random from the caller's sheet, e.g. 'Something you do when you're angry and speak very loudly.' The players listen and look at the action verbs written on their bingo card to see if they have one that matches the definition, e.g. 'shout'. If they do, they cross it off. The game continues until a player has crossed off four action verbs in a row. When this happens, the player shouts 'bingo!' and makes one sentence with each marked verb to verify their win. If the sentences are correct and the action verbs match the definitions that were read, the student wins the round. Players then continue to see who can cross off all 16 action verbs first. Groups play several rounds, with students taking turns being the bingo caller and players using a different bingo card each time. show less

ESL Action Verb Games - Vocabulary and Speaking: Matching, Gap-fill, Forming Sentences, Freer Practice - Group Work Here are two free action verb games to help students practice everyday actions. First, students play a gap-fill and matching game. In groups, students take turns picking up a sentence card, reading it aloud and placing it face-up on the table. All the students then race to find the correct action verb card to complete the sentence. When a student finds the right action verb card, they pick it up and read the complete sentence aloud. If the other students agree the action verb matches the sentence, the student wins and keeps the cards. If not, the student puts down the verb card, is out of the round and other students can answer. The student with the most pairs of cards at the end of the game wins. After that, students play a game where they form sentences using the action verbs. Students take turns turning over an action verb card so it's visible to everyone. The other students then race to put up their hands and say a sentence using the action verb. The first student to make a suitable sentence wins and keeps the card. The student with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner. show less

ESL Actions Worksheet - Vocabulary and Writing Exercises: Writing Sentences - Speaking Activities: Asking and Answering Questions, Freer Practice - Group Work Here is a comprehensive actions worksheet to help students practice common verbs related to everyday actions. First, students match action verbs with words and phrases. Students then underline the correct action verb to complete each sentence. Next, students circle the odd verb out in each set and write why the action verb doesn't belong. After that, students complete sentences with action verbs from a box. Students then move on to use action verbs from the worksheet to write three true and three false sentences about themselves. Students then take turns reading the sentences to a partner, who guesses whether they are true or false. Finally, in pairs, students ask and answer conversation questions that use the action verbs. show less

ESL Actions Game - Vocabulary: Miming, Guessing - Group Work In this fun actions game, students read sentences and then mime or guess the missing verbs of physical movement. In competing teams of two, students take turns picking up a card and reading the sentence using the word 'blank' for the missing action verb. The reader then mimes the missing action verb shown in brackets on the card to their partner, who tries to guess it. If the student successfully guesses the verb within 30 seconds, the team wins and keeps the card. If not, the other team has one chance to guess the verb and steal the card. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins. show less

ESL Actions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Sentence Completion, Error Correction - Speaking Activity: Asking and Answering Questions, Freer Practice - Pair Work Here is a useful actions worksheet to help students practice common verbs related to moving something or someone. First, in pairs, students discuss two questions about moving objects and people. Next, students use action verbs from a box to complete sentences related to moving something or someone, changing the verb forms as needed. Students then complete sentences about moving and carrying objects with their own ideas. After that, students find mistakes in sentences and correct them. Following that, students complete sentences by choosing the correct action verb. Finally, students ask and answer topic-related conversation questions with a partner. show less

ESL Actions Game - Vocabulary and Speaking: Forming Sentences from Prompts, True or False, Asking and Answering Questions, Freer Practice - Group Work Here is an entertaining actions game to help students practice common action verbs. In groups, players take turns picking up a verb card and placing it face-up on the table. The player then mixes up the 'Make a true statement' and 'Make a false statement' cards and takes one without showing it to anyone. Next, the player makes a true or false statement as indicated on the card using the action verb, e.g. 'Yesterday, I washed my car.' The other students then each ask the player one follow-up question to help them decide if the player's statement is true or false, e.g. 'What type of car do you have?' After the questions have been answered, each student says whether they think the statement is true or false. The player then reveals the answer. The students who guessed correctly each score one point. If a player is unable to make a statement using the action verb, the other students each receive a point. The student with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. show less