Learning English doesn’t have to feel like homework. In fact, some of the most effective ways to improve your speaking skills involve playing games that make practice feel natural and fun. Whether you’re teaching a classroom, practicing with friends, or learning solo, speaking games can transform your English journey from a chore into an adventure.
In this guide, I’ll share ten proven speaking games that will help you build confidence, expand your vocabulary, and speak English more fluently. These activities work for all levels, from beginners taking their first steps to advanced learners polishing their skills.
This topic is part of our English Learning for English learners.
Why Speaking Games Work for Language Learning
Before we dive into the games, let’s understand why they’re so effective. Speaking games create what language experts call “meaningful communication” – situations where you need to use English to achieve a real goal, like winning a game or solving a puzzle. This approach helps your brain store new words and phrases more effectively than simple memorization.
Games also reduce the fear of making mistakes. When you’re focused on having fun, you naturally speak more freely without worrying about perfection. This relaxed state is exactly when learning happens best.
1. 20 Questions
Best for: Vocabulary building and question formation
Level: Beginner to Advanced
This classic game is perfect for practicing question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) and building logical thinking skills in English.
How to play: One person thinks of an object, person, or place. Other players ask up to 20 yes/no questions to guess what it is. Questions like “Is it bigger than a car?” or “Can you eat it?” help narrow down the possibilities.
Pro tip for beginners: Start with simple categories like animals or classroom objects. Write down useful question starters on paper for reference.
Pro tip for advanced learners: Challenge yourself by choosing abstract concepts like “freedom” or “success” instead of physical objects.
2. Story Chain
Best for: Creativity, grammar practice, and listening skills
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Story Chain helps you practice using different verb tenses and connecting ideas smoothly in English.
How to play: The first person says a sentence to start a story. Each player adds one sentence, continuing from where the previous person left off. The story often becomes funny and unpredictable, which makes it memorable.
Example:
- Player 1: “Last Tuesday, I found a mysterious box in my garden.”
- Player 2: “When I opened it, a tiny dragon flew out.”
- Player 3: “The dragon told me it needed my help to find its home.”
Pro tip: Record your story chains and listen back. You’ll hear your improvements over time and catch patterns in your speech.
3. Describe and Draw
Best for: Descriptive vocabulary and giving clear instructions
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
This game teaches you how to explain things clearly, an essential skill for real-world communication.
How to play: One person looks at a simple picture or shape. Without showing it, they describe it to a partner who must draw based only on the verbal description. Compare the original and the drawing at the end.
What you’ll practice: Prepositions (above, below, next to), shapes (circle, triangle, rectangle), sizes (big, small, medium), and directions (left, right, center).
Pro tip: Start with basic geometric shapes, then progress to simple scenes like “a house with a tree beside it.”
4. Two Truths and a Lie
Best for: Past tense practice and conversational skills
Level: All levels
This game builds trust while giving you natural practice with storytelling in English.
How to play: Each person shares three statements about themselves – two true and one false. Others guess which statement is the lie. After guessing, the person reveals the answer and can elaborate on the true stories.
Example:
- “I have visited fifteen countries.”
- “I can play the piano.”
- “I once met a famous movie star.”
Learning benefit: You’ll naturally use past tense verbs and learn to ask follow-up questions, just like in real conversations.
5. Word Association Chain
Best for: Vocabulary expansion and quick thinking
Level: Beginner to Advanced
This fast-paced game helps you make connections between words, which strengthens your mental English dictionary.
How to play: One person says a word. The next person immediately says a related word, and the chain continues. If someone hesitates too long or repeats a word, they’re out.
Example chain: Summer → Beach → Sand → Castle → King → Crown → Gold
Advanced variation: Add a rule that all words must be the same part of speech (only nouns, only verbs, etc.).
6. Role-Play Scenarios
Best for: Real-world conversation practice
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Role-playing prepares you for actual situations you’ll encounter when using English in daily life.
How to play: Choose a scenario like ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions, or having a job interview. Assign roles and act out the situation, improvising the conversation.
Useful scenarios for practice:
- Returning a broken item to a store
- Making a doctor’s appointment
- Negotiating a price at a market
- Introducing yourself at a networking event
Pro tip: After finishing, discuss alternative phrases you could have used. This reflection deepens your learning.
7. Taboo Word Challenge
Best for: Synonym practice and creative thinking
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This game expands your active vocabulary by forcing you to find different ways to express the same idea.
How to play: Write a target word on a card along with 3-5 “taboo” related words you cannot use. The player must get others to guess the target word without using the taboo words.
Example: Target word is “PHONE”
Taboo words: call, mobile, ring, text, smartphone
You might say: “It’s a device you carry in your pocket to communicate with people far away.”
Why it works: When you can’t use the obvious words, you discover new vocabulary and sentence structures.
8. Would You Rather?
Best for: Expressing opinions and giving reasons
Level: All levels
This game teaches you how to explain your thinking and preferences clearly in English.
How to play: Present two options and each person must choose one, then explain their reasoning. The explanations are more important than the choices.
Sample questions:
- Would you rather travel to the past or the future?
- Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
- Would you rather live in the mountains or by the ocean?
Language practice: You’ll naturally use phrases like “I would choose… because…” and “In my opinion…” which are essential for expressing yourself.
9. Sentence Expansion
Best for: Grammar and descriptive language
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
This game shows you how to build complex, interesting sentences from simple ones.
How to play: Start with a basic sentence like “The dog ran.” Each player adds one detail, expanding the sentence: “The brown dog ran.” → “The brown dog ran quickly.” → “The brown dog ran quickly through the park.”
What you learn: How to use adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases to make your English more descriptive and engaging.
10. Speed Debate
Best for: Fluency and argumentation skills
Level: Advanced
This challenging game pushes you to think and speak quickly in English, building confidence for spontaneous conversations.
How to play: Choose a debatable topic. Set a timer for two minutes. One person argues for the position, then another person argues against it. The goal is continuous speaking without long pauses.
Topics to try:
- Should students wear school uniforms?
- Is technology making us smarter or lazier?
- Should people work four days a week instead of five?
Key skill developed: You’ll learn to keep talking even when you need time to think, using filler phrases naturally like “Well, I believe that…” or “Another point to consider is…”
Tips for Getting the Most from Speaking Games
Create a judgment-free zone: Remember, everyone makes mistakes when learning a language. Laugh together when funny errors happen, but never laugh at someone for trying.
Mix up your partners: If possible, play with different people. Each person has a unique speaking style and vocabulary that will enrich your learning.
Keep a game journal: After playing, write down new words or phrases you learned. Review these regularly to move them from short-term to long-term memory.
Adjust difficulty levels: Don’t be afraid to modify games to match your current skill level. Start simple and add complexity as you improve.
Set specific goals: Before playing, decide what you want to practice. Are you focusing on pronunciation today? Past tense verbs? Descriptive adjectives? Having a target makes learning more effective.
Making Games Part of Your Learning Routine
The secret to improving your English speaking skills is consistent practice. Try scheduling game sessions twice a week with study partners, classmates, or even family members who are learning with you.
If you’re studying alone, many of these games can be adapted for solo practice. Record yourself playing, use a mirror as your conversation partner, or join online language exchange communities where people gather specifically to play learning games.
The most important thing is to start. Pick one game from this list that sounds interesting and try it this week. You’ll be surprised how quickly your confidence grows when learning feels like play rather than work.
Remember, every fluent English speaker once struggled with their first sentences. These games are your stepping stones to natural, confident communication. So gather some friends, choose a game, and start speaking!
Ready to level up your English skills? Which game will you try first? Share your experience and favorite speaking games in the comments below!
More topics:
- Health and Fitness Collocations to Improve Your Vocabulary
- Sports Collocations: Words for Discussing Games and Teams
- Collocations for Talking About Success and Failure
- Collocations for Talking About Technology and Gadgets
- Travel Collocations: Essential Phrases for Airports and Hotels
- Collocations for Giving and Receiving Advice
