Engaging ESL Activity: What Do I Have?
Boost Speaking Skills with a Fun and Interactive Game
Keeping students engaged in an ESL classroom can be challenging, especially when focusing on speaking skills. "What Do I Have?" is a simple yet effective game that helps learners improve their vocabulary, critical thinking, and speaking confidence. This activity is adaptable for different proficiency levels and age groups, making it a valuable addition to any lesson plan.
Why Use "What Do I Have?" in Your ESL Classroom?
Encourages students to think critically and use logical reasoning.
Improves vocabulary recall by connecting words with descriptions.
Enhances speaking skills by prompting students to form questions and answers.
Makes learning fun and interactive, keeping students motivated.
Easily adaptable for different proficiency levels and classroom settings.
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Game Details
Activity Name: What Do I Have?
Level: Beginners to Advanced
Age Group: Kids, Teenagers, Adults
Skills Focus: Speaking
Preparation Time: Minimal
Materials Needed:
An object to hide (e.g., apple, pencil, book, toy, etc.)
Clues describing the object
A presentation tool (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.) for sharing clues
How to Play
Step 1: Explain the Rules
At the start of the lesson, introduce the game rules to the students:
You have a hidden object (off-camera if teaching online or out of sight in a physical classroom).
You will give clues about the object one by one.
Students must guess what the object is.
You can set a limit on the number of clues or guesses per student.
Step 2: Present the First Clue
Share your screen and display a slide with the first clue.
Example: If you are hiding an apple, your first clue might be, "It’s a fruit."
Encourage students to raise their hands or type their guesses in the chat.
Step 3: Encourage Participation
If someone guesses correctly, congratulate them and reveal the object.
If no one gets it right, present the next clue (e.g., "It can be red or green.").
Continue until someone guesses the object or all clues have been given.
Step 4: Keep Score and Play More Rounds
The student who guesses correctly with the fewest clues wins the round.
Keep track of scores and play multiple rounds with different objects.
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Variations and Adaptations
For Beginners
Use simple, everyday objects.
Provide very clear and basic clues (e.g., "You write with it." for a pencil).
Allow students to guess without penalty.
For Intermediate Learners
Use objects related to a specific vocabulary theme (e.g., classroom objects, food, animals).
Encourage students to ask yes/no questions instead of just guessing.
Introduce a time limit for responses.
For Advanced Learners
Use abstract or less common objects.
Make clues more descriptive and complex (e.g., "It’s a device used for communication." for a smartphone).
Have students take turns being the game leader and creating their own clues.
Tips for Success
Encourage teamwork by allowing students to collaborate on guesses.
Use visual aids to support comprehension, especially for younger learners.
Modify difficulty based on student responses to keep the game challenging yet accessible.
Keep the energy high by celebrating correct answers and encouraging participation.
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Final Thoughts
"What Do I Have?" is an excellent activity for enhancing speaking skills in an ESL classroom. Its flexibility and ease of preparation make it ideal for online and in-person lessons. By incorporating fun guessing games like this into your teaching strategy, you create an engaging and effective learning environment that keeps students motivated and eager to participate.
