“How do I get my students to actually remember the vocabulary we’ve learned?”
If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, trust me—you’re not alone.
After teaching English for over a decade in classrooms filled with every kind of learner—from hyperactive third-graders to nervous business professionals—I’ve learned one universal truth:
Memorizing vocabulary is easy. Retaining it is the real challenge.
And the secret weapon? Games.
Not gimmicky time-fillers, but purpose-driven, well-structured games that make vocabulary review fun, interactive, and effective.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through 10 tried-and-true ESL games I’ve used (and refined) over the years to reinforce vocabulary, boost student confidence, and bring some much-needed energy into the classroom.
You’ll get step-by-step instructions, pro tips, and even a few variations to suit different levels.
Let’s dive in!
1. Vocabulary Charades
Best for: All levels, small to medium groups
Prep time: 5 minutes
We all know the classic game of charades—but have you tried it with ESL vocabulary?
How it works:
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Write vocabulary words on slips of paper and put them in a box or hat.
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Students take turns picking a word and acting it out without speaking.
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The rest of the class guesses the word.
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Give points for correct answers, or just play for fun.
Why it works:
It reinforces meaning through movement, a method supported by Total Physical Response (TPR) theory (Asher, 1977). I’ve seen shy students come alive when they realize they don’t need perfect English to participate.
Pro Tip:
For higher levels, add a twist: instead of acting, students give one-sentence definitions or use the word in context.
2. Hot Seat
Best for: Intermediate to advanced learners, competitive students
Prep time: Minimal
This one always gets the room buzzing.
How it works:
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One student sits with their back to the board (they’re in the “hot seat”).
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Write a vocabulary word on the board behind them.
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The rest of the class gives clues to help them guess the word (without saying it or spelling it).
Why it works:
This game targets both receptive and productive vocabulary skills. Students must understand clues quickly and recall the word fast—a great mental workout.
Anecdote:
I once had a student who struggled with verbal expression suddenly shine in Hot Seat. His teammates helped him connect the dots faster than he ever had in a traditional review session. He told me later, “That game made me feel smart.”
3. Find Someone Who… (Vocabulary Edition)
Best for: Beginner to intermediate, ice-breakers
Prep time: 10–15 minutes
We often use this for speaking activities, but it’s fantastic for vocabulary review too.
How it works:
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Prepare a bingo-style sheet: “Find someone who has a pet,” “Find someone who knows what ‘generous’ means.”
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Students walk around asking questions using the target vocabulary.
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They write classmates’ names in the boxes when they find a match.
Why it works:
This encourages real communication and gives students a reason to use new words authentically.
Tip:
Make it thematic! Reviewing travel vocabulary? Use prompts like “Find someone who has visited a different country or knows what ‘passport’ means.”
4. Word Association Chain
Best for: All levels, especially vocabulary building
Prep time: None
This is my go-to “filler” game that secretly teaches a lot.
How it works:
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One student says a vocabulary word (e.g., “apple”).
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The next student says a word associated with it (e.g., “fruit”), and so on.
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Keep going until someone hesitates too long or repeats a word.
Why it works:
It helps students connect words conceptually, which builds semantic networks in their brains—an essential part of vocabulary retention.
Variation:
Add a timer or limit the theme: “Only adjectives!” or “Only classroom objects!”
5. Taboo
Best for: Intermediate and advanced, vocabulary + speaking
Prep time: Medium (word cards)
This game challenges students to describe words without saying certain “taboo” terms.
How it works:
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Create cards with a target word + 3–5 words they can’t use.
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Example:
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Target word: Teacher
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Taboo words: School, Student, Teach, Class
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The student must describe the word, and others guess.
Why it works:
It demands creative language use and forces learners to dig into their mental dictionaries. Great for fluency, synonyms, and paraphrasing.
Real Talk:
It’s not always easy for lower levels, so simplify the taboo words or skip them entirely and just ask for clues.
6. Pictionary (Vocabulary Drawing Game)
Best for: All ages, visual learners
Prep time: Low
Another classic that works wonders for vocabulary recall.
How it works:
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One student draws a vocabulary word on the board (no letters or numbers).
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The rest of the class guesses what it is.
Why it works:
Combines visual learning with word recall. According to dual coding theory (Paivio, 1986), combining images with words strengthens memory retention.
Classroom Hack:
Divide into teams and make it a race!
7. Bingo (Vocabulary Style)
Best for: Young learners, listening practice
Prep time: 10 minutes
A simple way to reinforce listening and word recognition.
How it works:
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Create bingo cards with vocabulary words.
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Read definitions, synonyms, or sentences aloud.
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Students mark the correct word on their cards.
Why it works:
Students have to listen carefully and match meaning to words—great for auditory learners.
Tip:
Use images for beginner levels. Or let students create their own cards for extra engagement.
8. Word Relay Race
Best for: Kinesthetic learners, energetic classes
Prep time: Minimal
Need to burn some energy while learning? This one’s gold.
How it works:
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Divide the class into teams.
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Write a vocabulary word category on the board (e.g., “Food”).
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One by one, students run to the board and write a related word.
Why it works:
Encourages teamwork and fast recall under pressure. Plus, movement = engagement.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to monitor spelling. Or, for advanced learners, require full phrases or collocations.
9. Sentence Scramble
Best for: Grammar + vocab combo, small groups
Prep time: 10 minutes
This one’s perfect for reinforcing word order and usage.
How it works:
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Prepare scrambled sentences using target vocabulary.
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In pairs or teams, students rearrange them into correct sentences.
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Add a timer for more challenge.
Why it works:
Helps students see how vocabulary fits into real sentences, supporting grammar-vocabulary integration.
Bonus Idea:
Let students write their own scrambled sentences for other teams to solve!
10. Memory Match
Best for: Beginners, kids, visual learners
Prep time: Moderate (cards)
Yes, good old-fashioned memory games still work.
How it works:
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Prepare pairs of cards: one with the vocabulary word, one with a picture or definition.
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Lay them face down. Students take turns flipping two at a time to find matches.
Why it works:
It’s great for visual and tactile learners, and repetition through play helps words stick.
Real-World Tip:
Laminate your cards—they’ll last for years. Mine survived an entire semester of enthusiastic 8-year-olds!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before you dive into these games, here are a few teacher-tested tips to make the most of them:
✅ Match the game to your goal
Not all games work for all vocabulary. Reviewing adjectives? Go for Pictionary. Practicing synonyms? Try Taboo.
✅ Scaffold for lower-level learners
Games like Hot Seat and Taboo can overwhelm beginners—offer word banks, allow native language support, or simplify the structure.
✅ Rotate games to keep things fresh
Even the best games lose their magic if overused. Switch it up regularly!
✅ Encourage gentle competition
A little competition boosts motivation—but don’t let it get too intense. Some students may feel anxious. I often say, “The points don’t matter; it’s just for fun.”
In Conclusion
Vocabulary review doesn’t have to be dull or mechanical.
When we embed words in action, movement, emotion, and real communication, they stick.
Over the years, I’ve watched quiet students open up, bored students light up, and disengaged students suddenly care—just because the learning felt like play.
That’s the beauty of using games with purpose.
Whether you’re teaching online or in person, beginners or advanced learners, there’s a game on this list that can breathe life into your next lesson.
So, which one are you going to try first?
Want More?
Feel free to bookmark this post or share it with your fellow ESL teachers.
And if you have a favorite vocab game I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about it—drop it in the comments below!
Until next time, keep teaching, keep laughing, and keep those vocabulary words rolling.
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