Password-A Fun ESL Speaking Activity

Skills: Speaking/listening

Materials Required: List of words, whiteboard

This is an ESL speaking activity which helps students review vocabulary and practice an important skill: describing something they don’t know the word for. Divide students into two groups. The groups will alternate sending a team member to the front of the class. Write a word over their head, so the team mates can see it, but that student cannot. The team must give that person hints until they guess the word or time runs out (20-30 seconds). The team with the most points wins.

Variation: Have one team’s turn last until they run out of time (2-4 minutes), then switch. This gives an advantage for correctly guessing more quickly. Pause the clock between answers so a new team member can take the hot seat.

Like this Activity? It’s from this book: 39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Teenagers and Adults

Procedure:

1. In advance, prepare a list of words. These can be vocabulary, or just words you expect your students to know.
2. Divide class into two groups.
3. Have groups alternate sending a member to the front of the class. Or, give each group a time limit of 2-4 minutes and rotate team members as soon as one guesses a word, until time is up.
4. Write a word on the whiteboard over that person’s head, so their team can see it, but they cannot.
5. Their team must give that person hints until they guess the word or time runs out (20-30 seconds).
6. The team with the most points after each student has had a turn wins.

Try out this fun ESL speaking activity for a warm-up in one of your classes and I’m sure your students will enjoy it.