ESL Brains
ESL Brains
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Lingstar

25 games · No prep · 0 to 30 minutes

ESL Conversation Games Your Students Will Actually Ask For

A teacher's list, not a content-farm list. Every game below has been run in real classrooms, with rules written for actual prep time (usually zero), real CEFR levels, and the real group size you'll have. Pick one and play.

Quick-pick table: all 25 games

Sort by level, group size, or prep time. Click any game name to jump to its rules below.

# Game Level Group Time Prep
1 Find Someone Who A2 Pairs → class 10–15 min 0 min
2 20 Questions A1+ Class or small groups 10–15 min 0 min
3 Would You Rather A2 Pairs → class 10 min 0 min
4 Hot Seat B1 Class 15 min 0 min
5 Conversation Ball B1 Circle of 5–10 10–15 min 0 min
6 Simon Says A1 Class 5–10 min 0 min
7 Numbered Heads Together A2 Groups of 4 10 min 1 min
8 Mafia / Werewolf B1 Class of 8–20 20–30 min 2 min
9 Speed Debating B1 Pairs 15 min 0 min
10 Story Cubes A2 Groups of 3–4 15 min 2 min
11 Agree / Disagree Line B2 Class 10 min 0 min
12 Job Interview Hot Seat B1 Pairs 15 min 0 min
13 Customer Service Roleplay A2 Pairs 10 min 0 min
14 Two Truths and a Lie A2 Class or small groups 15 min 0 min
15 Charades A1 Groups of 4–6 15 min 1 min
16 Pictionary A1 Groups of 4–6 15 min 1 min
17 Telephone A2 Line of 6–10 10 min 0 min
18 Debate Tag B1 Pairs 15 min 0 min
19 Mingle (A1) A1 Class 10 min 0 min
20 Board Race Vocabulary (A2) A2 Teams of 3–4 10 min 1 min
21 Roleplay Exchange (B1) B1 Pairs 15 min 2 min
22 News Report (B2) B2 Groups of 3 20 min 5 min
23 Philosophical Chairs (C1) C1 Class 25 min 5 min
24 Information Gap A2 Pairs 10 min 1 min
25 Running Dictation B1 Pairs 15 min 1 min

No-prep games (0–2 minutes of setup)

When you walked into class unprepared. Or when the previous lesson ran long and you have 5 minutes to fill.

#1 CEFR A2

Find Someone Who

Group Pairs → class
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Worksheet with 8–10 prompts

Rules

  1. Hand each student a grid with prompts like 'Find someone who has lived in another country' or 'Find someone who can cook pasta'.
  2. Students walk around asking classmates 'Have you…?' and filling one name per box.
  3. First to complete the grid shouts 'Bingo!' and reads 3 of their answers aloud to the class.

Teacher tip

For A1 beginners, replace full sentences with one-word answers ('Find someone who has a dog'). For B2+, add follow-up questions: 'How long?' 'Why?'

#2 CEFR A1+

20 Questions

Group Class or small groups
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None — pick a word in your head

Rules

  1. One student (or the teacher) thinks of a word. The others ask yes/no questions to guess it in 20 attempts.
  2. Allowed questions: 'Is it an object?' 'Is it alive?' 'Can you eat it?' 'Does it have more than 5 letters?'
  3. Anyone can guess the word at any time. The guesser becomes the next thinker.

Teacher tip

Start with concrete nouns (apple, table, teacher) at A1. Move to abstract concepts (happiness, friendship) at B2+. Limit to 20 questions — strict count teaches precision.

#3 CEFR A2

Would You Rather

Group Pairs → class
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of 'would you rather…' prompts (can improvise)

Rules

  1. Read a 'Would you rather…' choice out loud, e.g. 'Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?'
  2. Students choose one side of the room or raise a hand, then turn to a partner to explain why for 2 minutes.
  3. Volunteers share with the class. Move to the next prompt.

Teacher tip

For teens, use absurd prompts ('Would you rather have fingers or toes, but they look the same?'). For business English, use workplace dilemmas ('Would you rather work from home or the office forever?').

#4 CEFR B1

Hot Seat

Group Class
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of simple personal questions

Rules

  1. One student sits in the 'hot seat' facing the class. The teacher (or a student) asks questions about that student's life, opinions, or preferences.
  2. The student answers without using certain words (their name, 'yes', 'no') or without pausing for more than 3 seconds.
  3. After 2 minutes, swap. Run 3–4 rounds with volunteers.

Teacher tip

Tell students the questions in advance so they can prepare answers — otherwise the silence kills the energy. Best with B1+ who can sustain answers for 30+ seconds.

#5 CEFR B1

Conversation Ball

Group Circle of 5–10
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Soft ball or crumpled paper (or emote on Zoom)

Rules

  1. Students sit in a circle. One student starts with a statement or question on any topic.
  2. After speaking, they 'pass' the ball to a classmate who must respond and then make their own statement or ask a new question.
  3. Rule: the next speaker cannot repeat anything the previous speaker said. Hold the ball for 5 seconds to think.

Teacher tip

To keep it focused, give a topic ('describe your last holiday'). For B2+, add 'you cannot use the same sentence structure as the previous speaker' — forces real variety.

#6 CEFR A1

Simon Says

Group Class
Time 5–10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. Teacher calls out commands starting with 'Simon says…' (e.g. 'Simon says touch your nose'). Students do the action.
  2. If a command does NOT start with 'Simon says…' and students do it anyway, they're out.
  3. Last student standing wins. Review imperatives as you play.

Teacher tip

For older students, swap simple actions for classroom actions ('Simon says open your book to page 23'). Best as a 5-minute warm-up, not a full lesson.

#7 CEFR A2

Numbered Heads Together

Group Groups of 4
Time 10 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Discussion question on the board

Rules

  1. Each group member gets a number (1, 2, 3, 4). Teacher reads a discussion question.
  2. Groups discuss for 2 minutes, making sure every member could answer if called.
  3. Teacher calls a number. That person from each group stands and answers for the group.

Teacher tip

Forces participation from quieter students without putting them on the spot individually. Great for jigsaw reading activities — each number can have a different text.

#8 CEFR B1

Mafia / Werewolf

Group Class of 8–20
Time 20–30 min
Prep 2 min
Materials Cards with roles (Mafia, Detective, Villager, Doctor)

Rules

  1. Deal one role card to each player. Mafia know each other; villagers don't know who anyone is. A moderator (teacher) runs the day/night cycle.
  2. Day: everyone debates who the Mafia is and votes to eliminate one player. Night: Mafia silently choose a victim; Detective investigates one player; Doctor saves one player.
  3. Game ends when all Mafia are eliminated (villagers win) or Mafia outnumber villagers (Mafia wins).

Teacher tip

Best with teens and adults who enjoy social deduction. Don't run with shy beginners — the public accusation phase is brutal. Allocate 5 minutes to explain rules the first time.

Conversation games for adults

Adult-appropriate topics (work, life decisions, opinions, culture). Skip the childish visuals.

#4 CEFR B1

Hot Seat

Group Class
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of simple personal questions

Rules

  1. One student sits in the 'hot seat' facing the class. The teacher (or a student) asks questions about that student's life, opinions, or preferences.
  2. The student answers without using certain words (their name, 'yes', 'no') or without pausing for more than 3 seconds.
  3. After 2 minutes, swap. Run 3–4 rounds with volunteers.

Teacher tip

Tell students the questions in advance so they can prepare answers — otherwise the silence kills the energy. Best with B1+ who can sustain answers for 30+ seconds.

#5 CEFR B1

Conversation Ball

Group Circle of 5–10
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Soft ball or crumpled paper (or emote on Zoom)

Rules

  1. Students sit in a circle. One student starts with a statement or question on any topic.
  2. After speaking, they 'pass' the ball to a classmate who must respond and then make their own statement or ask a new question.
  3. Rule: the next speaker cannot repeat anything the previous speaker said. Hold the ball for 5 seconds to think.

Teacher tip

To keep it focused, give a topic ('describe your last holiday'). For B2+, add 'you cannot use the same sentence structure as the previous speaker' — forces real variety.

#9 CEFR B1

Speed Debating

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of controversial prompts

Rules

  1. Two students face each other. The teacher reads a statement ('Social media does more harm than good').
  2. Student A argues FOR for 60 seconds. Student B argues AGAINST for 60 seconds. Then they swap positions.
  3. After 2 rounds, swap partners and run again. 3 rotations = 12 minutes of structured argument.

Teacher tip

Pre-teach phrases for agreeing ('I see your point, however…') and disagreeing politely ('That's an interesting view, but I think…'). The position-swap teaches students to argue both sides.

#10 CEFR A2

Story Cubes

Group Groups of 3–4
Time 15 min
Prep 2 min
Materials Dice (or random prompts from 6 categories)

Rules

  1. Roll a die 3 times. Each roll selects one element: who / where / what problem.
  2. Group has 1 minute to plan a 2-minute story incorporating all three elements.
  3. Each group tells their story. Class guesses which elements were used.

Teacher tip

Make 6 categories on the board: WHO (a teacher / a child / a stranger), WHERE (a supermarket / an airport / a wedding), PROBLEM (lost wallet / missed bus / broken phone). Each die roll = pick from each column.

#11 CEFR B2

Agree / Disagree Line

Group Class
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Statements on the board

Rules

  1. Read a statement. Students physically move to one side of the room (agree) or the other (disagree). Neutral goes to the middle.
  2. Students on each side pair to discuss why for 2 minutes.
  3. One volunteer from each side explains their position. The middle can switch sides after hearing both.

Teacher tip

Use this for cultural discussions, not grammar. Topics that work: work-life balance, technology in education, immigration. Avoid politics unless the class has explicitly opted in.

#12 CEFR B1

Job Interview Hot Seat

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Job ad on the board

Rules

  1. Display a real job ad (stripped of identifying details). Student A is the interviewer, Student B is the candidate.
  2. Interviewer asks 5 standard questions (background, experience, strengths, weakness, why this role). Candidate answers for 5 minutes.
  3. Switch roles with a new job ad. Debrief: what phrasing worked, what vocabulary came up.

Teacher tip

Use real ads from LinkedIn or Indeed (anonymized). Forces specific vocabulary (responsibilities, qualifications, achievements) and tenses (present perfect for experience, future for goals).

#13 CEFR A2

Customer Service Roleplay

Group Pairs
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Scenario cards (optional)

Rules

  1. Each pair gets a scenario: 'returning a defective product', 'complaining about a delayed order', 'asking for a refund'.
  2. Student A is the customer, Student B is the service agent. They act out the scenario for 5 minutes.
  3. Switch roles. Run 2 scenarios per pair.

Teacher tip

Pre-teach complaint phrases ('I'd like to speak to the manager', 'I'm sorry to hear that', 'I'll make this right'). The debrief is where the learning happens — discuss what phrases worked.

#22 CEFR B2

News Report (B2)

Group Groups of 3
Time 20 min
Prep 5 min
Materials A short news article or video

Rules

  1. Each group gets a news article (or watches a 60-second news clip). 5 minutes to read/watch.
  2. Group divides into 3 roles: news anchor (delivers the story), expert (provides background), and eye-witness (gives a personal account).
  3. Each group performs a 3-minute 'live news report' to the class. Class asks questions after each report.

Teacher tip

Use real news from slow-news outlets (NPR, BBC Learning English, Reuters). The 3-role structure forces varied vocabulary: declarative (anchor), analytical (expert), narrative (witness).

#23 CEFR C1

Philosophical Chairs (C1)

Group Class
Time 25 min
Prep 5 min
Materials A philosophical statement or question

Rules

  1. Pose an open question ('Is privacy more important than security?'). Two chairs face each other; the rest of the class stands or sits at a neutral back row.
  2. Two students debate from the chairs. Anyone from the back row can tap one of them out, take their place, and continue the argument.
  3. Encourage hedging, nuance, and explicit concession ('Although I agree that…, I still believe…').

Teacher tip

C1 students need practice at sustained argument and nuance. Pre-teach hedging phrases ('it could be argued that', 'one might say', 'this isn't necessarily the case'). Limit to 2 debates per class — energy drops after that.

Speaking games for teens & kids

High-energy formats that hold shorter attention spans. Visual, physical, and social-deduction games.

#6 CEFR A1

Simon Says

Group Class
Time 5–10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. Teacher calls out commands starting with 'Simon says…' (e.g. 'Simon says touch your nose'). Students do the action.
  2. If a command does NOT start with 'Simon says…' and students do it anyway, they're out.
  3. Last student standing wins. Review imperatives as you play.

Teacher tip

For older students, swap simple actions for classroom actions ('Simon says open your book to page 23'). Best as a 5-minute warm-up, not a full lesson.

#14 CEFR A2

Two Truths and a Lie

Group Class or small groups
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. Each student writes 3 statements about themselves: 2 true, 1 false.
  2. They share the 3 statements with the group. Others ask follow-up questions to guess the lie.
  3. Score: 1 point per correct guess. Highest score wins.

Teacher tip

Force follow-up questions ('When did you…?', 'Where did you…?') — that's where the real speaking practice happens. B1+ can do this in writing first, then share orally.

#15 CEFR A1

Charades

Group Groups of 4–6
Time 15 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Word cards (animals, jobs, actions)

Rules

  1. One student draws a word card and acts it out without speaking.
  2. Group guesses the word in English. If correct, drawer picks the next card.
  3. Rotate drawers every 5 minutes so everyone gets a turn.

Teacher tip

Categorize cards by difficulty: animals = A1, jobs = A2, idioms = B1+. For teens, add 'actions' verbs (running, cooking, sleeping) and let the drawer create a short scene.

#16 CEFR A1

Pictionary

Group Groups of 4–6
Time 15 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Whiteboard or paper + markers

Rules

  1. Same structure as Charades, but the clue-giver draws instead of acting.
  2. Words can be concrete nouns, verbs in the infinitive, or short phrases.
  3. Set a 60-second timer per word. Teams compete for the most correct guesses.

Teacher tip

Useful for vocabulary review: pick words from the previous lesson. Switch drawers every 3 words so quieter students aren't stuck performing forever.

#17 CEFR A2

Telephone

Group Line of 6–10
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. First student in the line is given a short phrase by the teacher (e.g. 'The purple penguin danced on Tuesday').
  2. They whisper it once to the next student. That student whispers it to the next, and so on.
  3. Last student says the phrase out loud. Compare to the original — hilarity and pronunciation practice ensue.

Teacher tip

Start with simple phrases at A1, build to idioms at B1+ ('It's raining cats and dogs'). Pre-teach any tricky vocabulary before playing — otherwise the chain breaks on unknown words.

#18 CEFR B1

Debate Tag

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of 4 controversial statements

Rules

  1. Two students debate a statement. After 90 seconds, the teacher says 'Tag!' and each student must switch positions.
  2. So if Student A was arguing FOR, after the tag they must argue AGAINST, citing the previous opponent's points.
  3. Switch topics after 3 minutes. New pair, new topic.

Teacher tip

The position-switch is the point — it forces teens to engage with arguments they'd never make themselves. Pairs the disagreeing/disagreeing politely phrases taught earlier.

Games by CEFR level

Pick the right game for your students' level. A1 games run on single words; C1 games force sustained argument.

CEFR A1

Games at A1

#6 CEFR A1

Simon Says

Group Class
Time 5–10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. Teacher calls out commands starting with 'Simon says…' (e.g. 'Simon says touch your nose'). Students do the action.
  2. If a command does NOT start with 'Simon says…' and students do it anyway, they're out.
  3. Last student standing wins. Review imperatives as you play.

Teacher tip

For older students, swap simple actions for classroom actions ('Simon says open your book to page 23'). Best as a 5-minute warm-up, not a full lesson.

#15 CEFR A1

Charades

Group Groups of 4–6
Time 15 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Word cards (animals, jobs, actions)

Rules

  1. One student draws a word card and acts it out without speaking.
  2. Group guesses the word in English. If correct, drawer picks the next card.
  3. Rotate drawers every 5 minutes so everyone gets a turn.

Teacher tip

Categorize cards by difficulty: animals = A1, jobs = A2, idioms = B1+. For teens, add 'actions' verbs (running, cooking, sleeping) and let the drawer create a short scene.

#16 CEFR A1

Pictionary

Group Groups of 4–6
Time 15 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Whiteboard or paper + markers

Rules

  1. Same structure as Charades, but the clue-giver draws instead of acting.
  2. Words can be concrete nouns, verbs in the infinitive, or short phrases.
  3. Set a 60-second timer per word. Teams compete for the most correct guesses.

Teacher tip

Useful for vocabulary review: pick words from the previous lesson. Switch drawers every 3 words so quieter students aren't stuck performing forever.

#19 CEFR A1

Mingle (A1)

Group Class
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials 3 simple personal questions on the board

Rules

  1. Teacher puts 3 simple personal questions on the board: 'What's your name?' 'How old are you?' 'What's your favorite color?'
  2. Students stand up and walk around. They ask the 3 questions to as many classmates as possible in 5 minutes.
  3. At the end, class reports back: 'I found 3 people whose favorite color is blue.'

Teacher tip

Rotate the questions every 3 weeks so students don't memorize scripted answers. Move from identity (name, age) to preferences (food, music) to past experiences.

CEFR A2

Games at A2

#1 CEFR A2

Find Someone Who

Group Pairs → class
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Worksheet with 8–10 prompts

Rules

  1. Hand each student a grid with prompts like 'Find someone who has lived in another country' or 'Find someone who can cook pasta'.
  2. Students walk around asking classmates 'Have you…?' and filling one name per box.
  3. First to complete the grid shouts 'Bingo!' and reads 3 of their answers aloud to the class.

Teacher tip

For A1 beginners, replace full sentences with one-word answers ('Find someone who has a dog'). For B2+, add follow-up questions: 'How long?' 'Why?'

#3 CEFR A2

Would You Rather

Group Pairs → class
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of 'would you rather…' prompts (can improvise)

Rules

  1. Read a 'Would you rather…' choice out loud, e.g. 'Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?'
  2. Students choose one side of the room or raise a hand, then turn to a partner to explain why for 2 minutes.
  3. Volunteers share with the class. Move to the next prompt.

Teacher tip

For teens, use absurd prompts ('Would you rather have fingers or toes, but they look the same?'). For business English, use workplace dilemmas ('Would you rather work from home or the office forever?').

#7 CEFR A2

Numbered Heads Together

Group Groups of 4
Time 10 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Discussion question on the board

Rules

  1. Each group member gets a number (1, 2, 3, 4). Teacher reads a discussion question.
  2. Groups discuss for 2 minutes, making sure every member could answer if called.
  3. Teacher calls a number. That person from each group stands and answers for the group.

Teacher tip

Forces participation from quieter students without putting them on the spot individually. Great for jigsaw reading activities — each number can have a different text.

#10 CEFR A2

Story Cubes

Group Groups of 3–4
Time 15 min
Prep 2 min
Materials Dice (or random prompts from 6 categories)

Rules

  1. Roll a die 3 times. Each roll selects one element: who / where / what problem.
  2. Group has 1 minute to plan a 2-minute story incorporating all three elements.
  3. Each group tells their story. Class guesses which elements were used.

Teacher tip

Make 6 categories on the board: WHO (a teacher / a child / a stranger), WHERE (a supermarket / an airport / a wedding), PROBLEM (lost wallet / missed bus / broken phone). Each die roll = pick from each column.

#13 CEFR A2

Customer Service Roleplay

Group Pairs
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Scenario cards (optional)

Rules

  1. Each pair gets a scenario: 'returning a defective product', 'complaining about a delayed order', 'asking for a refund'.
  2. Student A is the customer, Student B is the service agent. They act out the scenario for 5 minutes.
  3. Switch roles. Run 2 scenarios per pair.

Teacher tip

Pre-teach complaint phrases ('I'd like to speak to the manager', 'I'm sorry to hear that', 'I'll make this right'). The debrief is where the learning happens — discuss what phrases worked.

#14 CEFR A2

Two Truths and a Lie

Group Class or small groups
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. Each student writes 3 statements about themselves: 2 true, 1 false.
  2. They share the 3 statements with the group. Others ask follow-up questions to guess the lie.
  3. Score: 1 point per correct guess. Highest score wins.

Teacher tip

Force follow-up questions ('When did you…?', 'Where did you…?') — that's where the real speaking practice happens. B1+ can do this in writing first, then share orally.

#17 CEFR A2

Telephone

Group Line of 6–10
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials None

Rules

  1. First student in the line is given a short phrase by the teacher (e.g. 'The purple penguin danced on Tuesday').
  2. They whisper it once to the next student. That student whispers it to the next, and so on.
  3. Last student says the phrase out loud. Compare to the original — hilarity and pronunciation practice ensue.

Teacher tip

Start with simple phrases at A1, build to idioms at B1+ ('It's raining cats and dogs'). Pre-teach any tricky vocabulary before playing — otherwise the chain breaks on unknown words.

#20 CEFR A2

Board Race Vocabulary (A2)

Group Teams of 3–4
Time 10 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Category prompts (animals, jobs, food…)

Rules

  1. Divide the board into 4 columns, one per team. Teacher calls a category ('animals starting with B').
  2. Teams race to write as many correct words as possible in 60 seconds.
  3. No repeats across teams. Highest unique count wins the round.

Teacher tip

This is vocabulary generation, not conversation — but it builds the word power needed for the conversation games. Run before Hot Seat or Conversation Ball to warm up vocab.

#24 CEFR A2

Information Gap

Group Pairs
Time 10 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Two similar pictures or maps

Rules

  1. Each student gets a picture that's almost identical to their partner's — but with small differences.
  2. Without showing their pictures, students describe what they see to find all the differences.
  3. First pair to find all differences wins.

Teacher tip

Free printable information gaps online (MES-English has a great library). Forces present-simple description, prepositions of place, color/size vocabulary.

CEFR B1

Games at B1

#4 CEFR B1

Hot Seat

Group Class
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of simple personal questions

Rules

  1. One student sits in the 'hot seat' facing the class. The teacher (or a student) asks questions about that student's life, opinions, or preferences.
  2. The student answers without using certain words (their name, 'yes', 'no') or without pausing for more than 3 seconds.
  3. After 2 minutes, swap. Run 3–4 rounds with volunteers.

Teacher tip

Tell students the questions in advance so they can prepare answers — otherwise the silence kills the energy. Best with B1+ who can sustain answers for 30+ seconds.

#5 CEFR B1

Conversation Ball

Group Circle of 5–10
Time 10–15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Soft ball or crumpled paper (or emote on Zoom)

Rules

  1. Students sit in a circle. One student starts with a statement or question on any topic.
  2. After speaking, they 'pass' the ball to a classmate who must respond and then make their own statement or ask a new question.
  3. Rule: the next speaker cannot repeat anything the previous speaker said. Hold the ball for 5 seconds to think.

Teacher tip

To keep it focused, give a topic ('describe your last holiday'). For B2+, add 'you cannot use the same sentence structure as the previous speaker' — forces real variety.

#8 CEFR B1

Mafia / Werewolf

Group Class of 8–20
Time 20–30 min
Prep 2 min
Materials Cards with roles (Mafia, Detective, Villager, Doctor)

Rules

  1. Deal one role card to each player. Mafia know each other; villagers don't know who anyone is. A moderator (teacher) runs the day/night cycle.
  2. Day: everyone debates who the Mafia is and votes to eliminate one player. Night: Mafia silently choose a victim; Detective investigates one player; Doctor saves one player.
  3. Game ends when all Mafia are eliminated (villagers win) or Mafia outnumber villagers (Mafia wins).

Teacher tip

Best with teens and adults who enjoy social deduction. Don't run with shy beginners — the public accusation phase is brutal. Allocate 5 minutes to explain rules the first time.

#9 CEFR B1

Speed Debating

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of controversial prompts

Rules

  1. Two students face each other. The teacher reads a statement ('Social media does more harm than good').
  2. Student A argues FOR for 60 seconds. Student B argues AGAINST for 60 seconds. Then they swap positions.
  3. After 2 rounds, swap partners and run again. 3 rotations = 12 minutes of structured argument.

Teacher tip

Pre-teach phrases for agreeing ('I see your point, however…') and disagreeing politely ('That's an interesting view, but I think…'). The position-swap teaches students to argue both sides.

#12 CEFR B1

Job Interview Hot Seat

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Job ad on the board

Rules

  1. Display a real job ad (stripped of identifying details). Student A is the interviewer, Student B is the candidate.
  2. Interviewer asks 5 standard questions (background, experience, strengths, weakness, why this role). Candidate answers for 5 minutes.
  3. Switch roles with a new job ad. Debrief: what phrasing worked, what vocabulary came up.

Teacher tip

Use real ads from LinkedIn or Indeed (anonymized). Forces specific vocabulary (responsibilities, qualifications, achievements) and tenses (present perfect for experience, future for goals).

#18 CEFR B1

Debate Tag

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 0 min
Materials List of 4 controversial statements

Rules

  1. Two students debate a statement. After 90 seconds, the teacher says 'Tag!' and each student must switch positions.
  2. So if Student A was arguing FOR, after the tag they must argue AGAINST, citing the previous opponent's points.
  3. Switch topics after 3 minutes. New pair, new topic.

Teacher tip

The position-switch is the point — it forces teens to engage with arguments they'd never make themselves. Pairs the disagreeing/disagreeing politely phrases taught earlier.

#21 CEFR B1

Roleplay Exchange (B1)

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 2 min
Materials Situation cards (at the doctor, at a job interview, returning a product)

Rules

  1. Each pair gets a situation card with a clear scenario and a 'twist' (e.g. you're at the doctor, but you suspect the doctor is wrong).
  2. Roleplay the situation for 7 minutes, then swap roles for the same scenario.
  3. After both runs, debrief with the teacher: what worked, what didn't, what phrases came up.

Teacher tip

The 'twist' is what makes roleplay interesting — without it, students default to scripted lines. Have a few generic twists ready: 'you've misunderstood something', 'you're late', 'you disagree with the other person'.

#25 CEFR B1

Running Dictation

Group Pairs
Time 15 min
Prep 1 min
Materials Short paragraph posted on the wall

Rules

  1. A short paragraph (4–6 sentences) is taped to the wall 5+ meters from the desks.
  2. Student A runs to the wall, reads a few words, runs back, and dictates what they remember to Student B (the writer).
  3. Repeat until the paragraph is fully written. First pair to finish with no errors wins.

Teacher tip

Excellent for pronunciation and listening accuracy — the dictator must say the words clearly, the writer must hear them correctly. Pair strong and weak students for peer learning.

CEFR B2

Games at B2

#11 CEFR B2

Agree / Disagree Line

Group Class
Time 10 min
Prep 0 min
Materials Statements on the board

Rules

  1. Read a statement. Students physically move to one side of the room (agree) or the other (disagree). Neutral goes to the middle.
  2. Students on each side pair to discuss why for 2 minutes.
  3. One volunteer from each side explains their position. The middle can switch sides after hearing both.

Teacher tip

Use this for cultural discussions, not grammar. Topics that work: work-life balance, technology in education, immigration. Avoid politics unless the class has explicitly opted in.

#22 CEFR B2

News Report (B2)

Group Groups of 3
Time 20 min
Prep 5 min
Materials A short news article or video

Rules

  1. Each group gets a news article (or watches a 60-second news clip). 5 minutes to read/watch.
  2. Group divides into 3 roles: news anchor (delivers the story), expert (provides background), and eye-witness (gives a personal account).
  3. Each group performs a 3-minute 'live news report' to the class. Class asks questions after each report.

Teacher tip

Use real news from slow-news outlets (NPR, BBC Learning English, Reuters). The 3-role structure forces varied vocabulary: declarative (anchor), analytical (expert), narrative (witness).

CEFR C1

Games at C1

#23 CEFR C1

Philosophical Chairs (C1)

Group Class
Time 25 min
Prep 5 min
Materials A philosophical statement or question

Rules

  1. Pose an open question ('Is privacy more important than security?'). Two chairs face each other; the rest of the class stands or sits at a neutral back row.
  2. Two students debate from the chairs. Anyone from the back row can tap one of them out, take their place, and continue the argument.
  3. Encourage hedging, nuance, and explicit concession ('Although I agree that…, I still believe…').

Teacher tip

C1 students need practice at sustained argument and nuance. Pre-teach hedging phrases ('it could be argued that', 'one might say', 'this isn't necessarily the case'). Limit to 2 debates per class — energy drops after that.

Printable cards & supporting materials

Some games need prompt cards, worksheets, or scoring sheets. These are the printable libraries on ESL Materials that pair with the games above.

ESL Worksheets Hub

Free printable PDFs by CEFR level, age, and price. Use for Find Someone Who grids, Charades word cards, and Information Gap pictures.

Adult ESL Worksheets

Worksheets designed for adult learners — workplace vocabulary, real-world reading, mature themes. Pairs with Hot Seat, Speed Debating, and Job Interview.

ESL Games & Activities Hub

Broader game library including digital and interactive formats (Baamboozle, Quizalize, Kahoot). Adds visual variety to the verbal games on this page.

ESL Speaking Activities

More speaking-focused activities — pair-work, discussion prompts, conversation topics. Pairs with Conversation Ball, Speed Debating, and Philosophical Chairs.

Can role play enhance ESL speaking activities?

Research-grounded look at why role-play works. Use alongside Job Interview, Customer Service, and Roleplay Exchange games.

Can group discussions be effective?

What makes group discussion work — and what kills it. Pair with Numbered Heads Together and Philosophical Chairs.

How to run a conversation game in class (without it falling apart)

Most conversation games fail not because the game is bad, but because the setup was sloppy. Here's the minimum scaffolding that makes any game work:

1. Pre-teach 3–5 phrases they'll need

Don't assume students have the language. Before Speed Debating, teach 'I see your point, but…' and 'That's interesting because…'. Before Hot Seat, teach 'In my opinion…' and 'If I had to choose…'. Five minutes of upfront teaching saves twenty minutes of silence.

2. Pair strong with weak

Don't randomize. Match your strongest student with your weakest in the first round. They pull each other up. In the second round, swap so weak students have to carry a partner. By the third round, everyone's speaking at roughly the same level.

3. Build in private think time

30 to 60 seconds of silence before anyone speaks. Force it. Use a timer on the board. The students who look uncomfortable in silence are the ones who need it most — they're the ones who would have frozen in front of a peer.

4. Debrief on the board

After the game, take 5 minutes to write up the phrases students actually used on the board. Highlight the good ones. Correct the systemic errors. Without this debrief, the game was just entertainment. With it, it's a real lesson.

5. Rotate games, don't repeat

Use a game 2–3 times in a term, then swap. Students learn the script of a repeated game and stop speaking authentically. The 25 games above give you 12 weeks of conversation class without repeats.

Need structured backing? Two paid platforms pair naturally with these games:

ESL Brains → Video-led A2–C1 lessons built around TED talks. Best match for B1+ conversation classes. Crystal Clear ESL → 700+ CEFR-tagged adult lessons A1–B1 with answer keys. Best for structured adult groups.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best ESL conversation games for adults?

The five most reliable for adult learners: 'Find Someone Who' (A2+), '20 Questions' (A1+), 'Would You Rather' (A2+), 'Hot Seat' (B1+), and 'Conversation Ball' (B1+). All run in 10-20 minutes, need zero prep, and generate real conversation rather than rehearsed answers. Mix two of them in a 45-minute class to keep energy up.

How long should an ESL conversation game take?

Aim for 10-20 minutes per game. Shorter than 10 minutes and the conversation hasn't built momentum. Longer than 20 minutes and students start repeating themselves or losing focus. The exception is multi-round games like 'Mafia' or 'Werewolf' which can run 30+ minutes because the social pressure keeps energy high.

What if my students won't speak during conversation games?

Three reliable fixes. First, lower the stakes: pair work before group work, written prompts before oral ones. Second, build in a private think time of 30-60 seconds before anyone speaks. Third, give a sentence starter on the board ('I think…', 'In my experience…') so beginners have a ramp. If it still fails, switch to a structured game with clear turns like 'Find Someone Who' rather than open conversation.

Do conversation games work for beginners (A1)?

Yes, but pick the right ones. A1-friendly: 20 Questions (yes/no answers), Find Someone Who (name + one word), Simon Says (imperatives), and Numbered Heads Together (one-word answers count). Avoid Would You Rather and Conversation Ball at A1 — they need full sentence production and the silence becomes demoralizing.

Can I use these games in online classes (Zoom)?

Most adapt fine. Find Someone Who works in Zoom breakout rooms of 2-3. 20 Questions works in the main room with the host keeping score. Conversation Ball works as a 'pass the ball' emote game. Games that don't translate well: Mafia (needs physical table space) and Charades (video lag kills it).

How do I grade participation in conversation games?

Don't grade accuracy — grade attempt and engagement. A simple rubric: 1 point per turn taken, bonus for asking a follow-up question, zero for sitting out. Track on a class roster. The point is to make everyone speak, not to make everyone speak perfectly. Save accuracy feedback for the post-game debrief on the board.

Want a video-led lesson to anchor each game?

ESL Brains pairs every worksheet with a TED-talk or news video, so your conversation games start with real input and finish with structured output. Free trial, no credit card.

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