When people think of ESL games, they often picture colorful flashcards and classroom songs designed for kids. But here’s the truth: adults love games too. In fact, a well-chosen game can boost participation, spark laughter, and create a memorable learning experience.

Here are 20 of my favorite ESL games that work beautifully in adult classrooms. They require little or no preparation and can be adapted to different levels.

1. 20 QuestionsA classic game for practicing yes/no questions and critical thinking. One student thinks of a person, place, or object, and the others take turns asking up to 20 yes/no questions to guess what it is. Encourage strategic questioning: "Is it alive?" "Is it bigger than a car?" This game sharpens vocabulary and question formation skills.

2. Two Truths and a LieA great icebreaker. Each student says three statements about themselves—two true, one false. The group guesses which is the lie. This encourages creative thinking, listening, and getting to know each other. It also sparks natural conversation.

3. Would You Rather?Pose two unusual options (e.g., "Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?") and ask students to choose one and explain why. This fun discussion game develops speaking fluency and supports the use of comparatives and conditionals.

4. Find Someone Who...Give students a list of prompts like "Find someone who has visited Kyoto" or "Find someone who owns a pet." Students walk around asking and answering questions until they complete their list. It's an interactive way to review question forms and build community.

5. Story CubesUse dice with images or printable cards showing random objects or actions. Students roll or draw a few and must create a short story using all the prompts. Ideal for building narrative skills, especially in past tense.

6. Guess the Word (Taboo-style)Prepare a list of words students must describe without using key "taboo" words. For example, to describe "apple," they can't say "fruit," "red," or "tree." This builds paraphrasing skills and vocabulary range.

7. What's in the Bag?Place everyday items in a bag. Without looking, a student feels an item and describes it using adjectives, shape, and purpose. The class guesses what it is. A tactile game that strengthens descriptive language.

8. Alibi GamePerfect for small groups. Two students are "suspects" who must explain where they were during a fake crime. The rest of the class asks detailed questions to uncover inconsistencies. This game is great for practicing past tense and creative thinking.

9. Desert IslandAsk students: "If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?" Each student explains their choices. This sparks great conversation and builds vocabulary around survival, preferences, and logic.

10. Speed ChattingLike speed dating but with English practice. Students rotate partners and have 1–2 minutes to discuss a topic or question before switching. This gets everyone speaking and improves spontaneous conversation skills.

11. This or ThatQuickfire questions like "Tea or coffee?" "Cats or dogs?" Students answer and give a reason. Great for building automatic response and fluency. You can theme it around food, travel, or lifestyle.

12. The ExpertOne student pretends to be an "expert" in a silly topic (like UFOs or flying carpets). The class asks questions, and the "expert" must improvise answers. This encourages creativity, humor, and thinking on your feet.

13. Word Association ChainStart with a word like "apple." The next student says a word related to it: "fruit," "banana," "yellow," etc. See how long the chain can go before someone hesitates or repeats. A simple vocabulary warm-up.

14. Role-Play ScenariosGive students real-world situations (e.g., at the airport, ordering in a cafe, job interview) and roles to play. Encourage natural dialogue, use of polite phrases, and appropriate tone.

15. Back-to-Back DrawingOne student describes a picture while the other draws it—without seeing the original. The results are often funny and unexpected! This is excellent for practicing giving and following directions.

16. Name 5Pick a category like "sports," "fruits," or "countries." Students race to name 5 things in that group. You can make it competitive or collaborative. A fast-paced way to review vocabulary.

17. Hot SeatOne student sits with their back to the board. The teacher writes a word, and the rest of the class gives clues until the student guesses. A fun game for synonyms and description.

18. Picture StoryShow students a series of 3–5 images and have them create a story that connects them. This helps with sequencing language, story structure, and past tense.

19. Charades (Phrasal Verb Edition)Act out phrasal verbs like "wake up," "give up," or "run into" and have others guess. Great for reinforcing difficult vocabulary in a memorable way.

20. Line DebatePlace a line on the floor: one side is "agree," the other "disagree." Read a statement like "Coffee is better than tea," and students stand where they agree, then explain why. Encourages critical thinking and speaking fluency.

These games not only bring energy and fun to your lessons, but they also create the perfect conditions for language to emerge naturally. Try one or two in your next class—you might be surprised by how much your students open up!