Word Games for the ESL Class

Here are two printable word games for the ESL classroom that help students improve their understanding of parts of speech. Its a variation on classic cloze exercises, except that students need to choose any word from a given part of speech. For example: It was a __________ (Adjective) day outside. Students have such a great time while learning important skills - without thinking too hard about it! Aim: Recognizing Parts of Speech Activity: Fill in the gap story completion Level: Lower level to intermediate Outline: Write a few words up on the board representing various parts of speech (i.e. noun, verb, adverb, etc.). As a group, ask students to identify the part of speech for each word. Write down those parts of speech as students identify them.Pointing out the various parts of speech recorded on the board, call on random students asking them to offer other examples for the indicated part of speech.Once students feel comfortable with these various parts of speech, have students pair up.Distribute the worksheet, make sure to cut each sheet in quarters between the word list and the story.Ask students to work together to fill in the word sheet. Once students have filled in the word sheet, they should fill in the story. Go around the room helping students with difficulty. Variation:In order to teach specific vocabulary, provide a vocabulary list of target words for each part of speech.Do the above introductory steps, but instead of writing just any word on the board, make sure to use words from you r target vocabulary list.Ask students to use the target vocabulary list when giving further examples of each part of speech.Instruct students to complete the worksheet using words on the target vocabulary list. Explore the use of word forms to further improve vocabulary expansion through knowledge of parts of speech.   A Day in the Life ... Worksheet Adjective ______________________________Month _________________________________Mans name____________________________Verb __________________________________Noun __________________________________Noun __________________________________Verb __________________________________Adjective ______________________________Verb ending in - ing ____________________Adverb ________________________________Verb Weather __________________________Verb Transportation ____________________Verb Transportation - ing ________________Verb __________________________________Adverb of frequency ____________________ A Day in the Life ...Exercise It was a __________ (Adjective) day in __________ (Month) and the __________ (Mans name) decided to __________ (Verb). As soon as he got to the __________ (Noun), he sat down and took out his __________ (Noun). He certainly hadnt expected to be able to __________ (Verb), but was __________ (Adjective) for the chance to do so. __________ (Verb ending in -ing), the time passed __________ (Adverb) and before he knew it, it was time to go home. He gathered his things and began to walk home. Unfortunately, it began to __________ (Verb concerning the weather) so he decided to __________ (Verb of transportation i.e. take a taxi, run, skip, etc.). While he was _________ (Verb of transportation i.e. take a taxi, run, skip, etc. in the -ing form), he noticed that he had forgotten to __________ (Verb). He __________ (Adverb of frequency) forgot such things! The World of Work -   Worksheet Noun ________________________________Verb _________________________________Adjective _____________________________Verb __________________________________Verb __________________________________Verb __________________________________Verb __________________________________Verb _________________________________Noun   _________________________________Adjective________________________________Verb ___________________________________Verb ___________________________________Adjective   ______________________________Verb __________________________________ The World of Work -   Exercise I work in an / a _________ (noun) that _________ (verb) for _________ (noun). Its a _________ (adjective) job that requires me to _________ (verb) every day. Some days, I can _________ (verb), but thats only on special occasions. I _________ (verb) my position. It is full of opportunities to _________ (verb) or _________ (verb). The _________ (noun) are often _________ (adjective), but its a job so I wont complain! Some days customers want _________ (verb), on other days my boss asks me to _________ (verb). Its really _________ (adjective). Have you ever had to _________ (verb)? If so, I hope you are happy.