If you’re looking for a very simple ESL warmer game or time-filler activity for a language class, look no further than the line up game. It’s simple, requires no materials and students like it! What more could you want? Keep on reading for all the details that you need to know about the lineup game, including questions.
Line Up Game for English Class
Line up is one of my favourite, very simple ESL activities. It’s ideal for a time filler, a party day, or as an icebreaker as well.
The way it works is that students have to line up, in order, in a line according to certain criteria. It could be their age, birthday date in the year (May 15th, June 20th, etc.). It could be their height, or it could be the number of people that live in their house together. There are plenty of options! Scroll down to line up game sections for more ideas.
2 Options for Lineup in a Language Class
The first way is that students have to do it without talking. So they just have to use their hands or body language. And the second way is that I require my students to do it, but they only can speak English.
It really is up to you what you want to do, but then at the end, you can check the answers, especially if they’ve done it silently. For example, you could say, “When’s your birthday?” And then have students go down the line and say their birthday in English. This is a sneaky way to get some speaking practice in!
Lineup Game Option for Very Large Classes
A nice option for classes of 20+ students is to divide the class into teams of roughly 8 or 10 people. Then, give students some criteria/questions and the teams race to line up according to that. The first team to do this correctly is the winner.
Line up game
Procedure for this ESL Line Up Game
- Have students stand up.
- If you have a large class, divide students into groups of 8-10.
- Say a lineup game question (How old are you?)
- Students have to line up in the correct order, using only English.
- (Optional). Don’t allow speaking, and students have to use hand gestures or body language.
- Check that students are in the correct order.
Line up game questions
Line Up Game Questions
- When’s your birthday?
- How old are you?
- How many people live in your house?
- How tall are you?
- Shoe size
- What time did you wake up this morning?
- What time did you go to bed last night?
- How many pets do you have?
- How many different kinds of food have you eaten today?
More Ideas for Teaching English
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Smith, Jennifer Booker (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 03/31/2016 (Publication Date)
If you’re looking for some more good ideas for English classes, then you’ll want to check out this book: 101 ESL Activities for Kids. The key to better ESL/EFL classes is a wide variety of interactive and engaging activities and games. This book will help you get there in style.
Pick up a copy of the book today, and get ready for better language classes tomorrow.
Line-Up Game: Join the Conversation
Do you have any tips or questions about using the line game in class? Leave a comment and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Last update on 2022-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
