This is a great ESL classroom game for a first lesson. Basically, it is a GTKY game, or a Getting To Know You game, but also helps SS review question words such as Who, What, Why, Where, When, How etc.
It’s really simple too and does not need any resources. I hate using games which can’t do without soft balls, or baskets, or blindfolds. Well, this one needs no prep at all.
Walk into class. Draw a grid (3×3 or 4×4 or 5×5) on the board. Elicit question words and fill them into the grid randomly.
Divide the class into 2 teams. Give each team a symbol (e.g.
, * , $ )
The team to go first chooses any square and uses the question word in it (e.g. how) to form a question. For e.g. How old is the teacher? or How old is Tracy (a student)?
If the other team guesses the correct answer, it can put its symbol in that square. If they don’t guess the correct answer, the team that asked the question can put its own symbol in the square. Now, the other team chooses a grid and asks a question. And so on..
The team with the most number of squares under its belt wins the game, or the team which gets 3 symbols in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the game.
Gets the kids really competitive, as they ask wild questions to trick the other team.
And it works for all levels and ages – pre-intermediate to advanced, little kids to adults!
Will try this out as a warmer tomorrow…