35+ ESL Speaking Activities: Engage with Fun for Better Fluency

Have you ever found yourself, as an English teacher, scratching your head, trying to come up with new and engaging ESL speaking activities to get your students talking?

You’re not alone. Speaking can be a tough skill to master for ESL learners, but if you can choose the right activities, you can turn this challenge into a fun and interactive learning experience for them.

In this article, you’ll discover 36 popular and effective ESL speaking activities that really work. These activities are designed to get your students talking, whether they’re young learners or adults.

They cover a range of scenarios, from casual chit-chat to formal presentations and everything in between. You can customize these activities based on your teaching methods to engage your specific learners.

So, if you’re on the hunt for fresh ideas to liven up your speaking class and help your students gain confidence in their spoken English, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and explore these activities together. Your next great class activity could be just a scroll away!

What is An ESL Activity?

An ESL activity is a fun and helpful task for people who are learning English as a second language (ESL). These activities help learners practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English.

They can include games, conversations, exercises, and role-playing to make learning English enjoyable and easier to understand. For example, playing a word game, having a group discussion, or doing a listening exercise are all types of ESL activities.

What is An ESL Speaking Activity?

An ESL speaking activity is a task that helps people who are learning English as a second language practice talking in English. These activities are designed to make speaking English easier and more natural.

Examples of ESL speaking activities include having a conversation with a partner, role-playing different situations (like ordering food in a restaurant), and playing games that involve speaking, like asking and answering questions. The goal is to help learners become more comfortable and confident when they speak English.

Benefits of Using ESL Speaking Activities

As an ESL teacher, you want to help your learners speak English more confidently and fluently. You also want to make learning fun and engaging so they learn faster. So, you need to look at the benefits of using ESL speaking activities in your class to help your learners achieve their goals.

Using ESL speaking activities has many benefits for people learning English. Here are some of the main benefits:

1. Practice Speaking: They give you a chance to practice speaking English, which helps you improve your pronunciation and fluency.
2. Build Confidence: Speaking activities help you feel more confident when talking in English because you get used to using the language in real situations.
3. Improve Listening: These activities also help you improve your listening skills because you listen to others and understand what they are saying.
4. Learn New Words: You can learn new words and phrases by talking about different topics and situations.
5. Fun and Engaging: Speaking activities are often fun and interesting, making it easier and more enjoyable to learn English.
6. Real-life Practice: They give you practice in real-life situations, like having a conversation, asking for directions, or ordering food.

Overall, ESL speaking activities help you become better at using English in your daily life.

Let’s explore the best ESL speaking activities to make learning fun and engaging.

Show and Tell: Engaging Young Minds

Show and Tell is a classic activity that’s always a hit with young learners. It provides a platform for students to talk about something they’re passionate about, helping them practice their spoken English in a fun, personal way.

Materials Needed: The only materials required for this activity are the items that students choose to bring from home. These could be anything from a favorite toy to a cherished book or a family photo. The key is that the item should hold some significance to the student, giving them plenty to talk about.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Let students know about the upcoming Show and Tell session well in advance so they have time to select their item and prepare what they want to say.
2. On the day of the activity, each student takes turns presenting their item to the class.
3. Students should describe their item, explaining what it is and why it’s important to them. They can also share any interesting stories or facts related to the item.
4. To help students structure their presentations, you can provide sentence starters such as “This is my…”, “It’s special because…”, or “I feel… when I…”.
5. After each presentation, encourage the rest of the class to ask questions. This promotes active listening and interaction.

Benefits of the Activity: Show and Tell offers numerous benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Helps students practice their descriptive language skills.
• Builds confidence in public speaking.
• Fosters a sense of community as students learn more about each other.
• Develops active listening skills as students engage with their peers’ presentations.
• Encourages curiosity and deeper understanding as students learn to ask relevant questions.

Incorporating Show and Tell into your ESL classroom can provide a fun, low-pressure way for students to practice their speaking skills while sharing a bit of their world with their classmates.

Role Play: The Power of Pretend in ESL

Role Play is a dynamic and versatile activity that can be tailored to suit any age group or proficiency level. It involves students acting out different scenarios, which can range from everyday situations like ordering food at a restaurant, to more complex interactions such as job interviews or debates.

Materials Needed: Materials for this activity can vary depending on the scenario you choose. You might need props to set the scene or role cards with character descriptions and objectives. For more complex role plays you might also provide conversation scripts for ordering food.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Choose a scenario that is relevant to your students’ learning objectives and level of proficiency.
2. Explain the scenario to the students and assign roles. If necessary, provide props, role cards, or scripts.
3. Give students time to prepare for their roles. They might need to practice certain phrases, plan their dialogue, or think about their character’s motivations.
4. Have the students act out the scenario in front of the class. Encourage them to stay in character and use English to the best of their ability.
5. After the role-play, facilitate a class discussion. Ask students about the outcome of the scenario, the language used, and how they could apply what they’ve learned in real-life situations.

Benefits of the Activity: Role Play is a powerful tool in the ESL classroom. It:

• Provides a practical context for language use, helping students understand how to use English in real-life situations.
• Encourages creativity and improvisation, which can make speaking practice more engaging and fun.
• Helps students develop their problem-solving skills as they navigate through the scenario.
• Builds confidence as students get comfortable with speaking English in front of others.
• Allows for the practice of specific language functions, such as making requests, giving advice, or expressing disagreement, in a controlled environment.

By incorporating Role Play into your lessons, you can provide your students with a safe and supportive space to practice their English speaking skills, while also preparing them for real-world interactions.

Storytelling: Creating Narratives for Language Development

Storytelling is a universal form of communication that can captivate learners of all ages. In the ESL classroom, storytelling activities can help students practice narrative tenses, descriptive language, and sequencing, all while sparking their creativity.

Materials Needed: Materials can vary based on how you choose to conduct the activity. You might need story prompts, picture cards for visual aid, or even digital tools if you’re incorporating multimedia elements.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Depending on your students’ proficiency level, you can provide a story prompt or let them come up with their own ideas.
2. Give students time to plan their stories. They should think about the characters, setting, and plot. For lower-level students, you can provide a story structure to guide them.
3. Students then tell their stories to the class. Encourage them to use descriptive language and narrative tenses where appropriate.
4. After each story, facilitate a brief discussion. Ask the class about the story’s sequence of events, the characters, and the overall narrative. This can reinforce comprehension and narrative skills.

Benefits of the Activity: Storytelling offers numerous benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Encourages creativity and imagination, making the learning process more engaging.
• Helps students practice narrative tenses and descriptive language in a meaningful context.
• Enhances students’ ability to sequence ideas logically.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students share their unique stories.
• Fosters listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s stories.

Incorporating storytelling into your ESL lessons can provide a creative outlet for students while offering ample opportunities for language practice. Whether they’re telling tales of far-off adventures or recounting personal experiences, students will be developing their English skills every step of the way.

Picture Descriptions: Painting with Words

Picture Descriptions is an activity that can be adapted for learners of all ages and proficiency levels. It involves students describing a picture in detail, which can help them practice their descriptive language skills and expand their vocabulary.

Materials Needed: For this activity, you’ll need a variety of pictures. These could be photographs, illustrations, or even comic strips. The pictures should be rich in detail to give students plenty to talk about.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Distribute a picture to each student or pair of students. You can also project a picture on the board for the whole class to describe.
2. Give students time to look at their picture and think about how they will describe it.
3. Students then take turns describing their picture to the class. Encourage them to be as detailed as possible, describing not only the main elements but also the colors, shapes, and any actions or emotions they perceive.
4. After each description, you can facilitate a brief discussion. Ask the class about the details they remember, or have them guess what’s happening in the picture based on the description.

Benefits of the Activity: Picture Descriptions offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Helps students practice their descriptive language skills in a focused context.
• Expands students’ vocabulary as they learn to describe various elements and scenes.
• Enhances students’ observational skills as they learn to notice and describe details.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students share their descriptions with the class.
• Fosters listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s descriptions.

By incorporating Picture Descriptions into your ESL lessons, you can provide a visual context for language practice, making the learning process more engaging and memorable for your students.

Interviews: Peer-to-Peer Learning

Interviews are a great way to get students to talk and listen to each other. This activity can be adapted to any topic, making it versatile for different lessons and proficiency levels. It’s an excellent way for students to practice question formation, active listening, and conversational skills.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a list of interview questions for this activity. These can be prepared in advance by the teacher, or you can have students come up with their own questions. The questions should be open-ended to encourage more than just yes/no answers.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Pair up the students and give each pair a list of interview questions. If students are creating their own questions, give them time to prepare.
2. One student in each pair takes on the role of the interviewer, while the other is the interviewee.
3. The interviewer asks the questions, and the interviewee responds. Encourage students to expand on their answers and provide as much detail as possible.
4. After a set amount of time, have the students switch roles.
5. Once all interviews are complete, facilitate a class discussion. Students can share interesting things they learned about their partner or discuss any challenges they faced during the activity.

Benefits of the Activity: Conducting interviews in the ESL classroom offers several benefits. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice question formation and response.
• Enhances active listening skills as students engage in one-on-one conversations.
• Encourages students to express their thoughts and opinions in English.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students interact directly with their peers.
• Fosters a sense of community as students learn more about each other.

Incorporating interviews into your ESL lessons can provide a real-world context for language practice, helping students improve their conversational skills and build stronger connections with their peers.

Debates: The Art of Argument for Adult ESL Learners

Debates are a powerful tool for advanced language learning, particularly suited to adult learners. They provide a platform for students to practice persuasive language, critical thinking, and active listening, all within the context of a structured argument.

Materials Needed: For a debate, you’ll need a list of debatable topics that are appropriate and engaging for your students. You may also want to prepare some resources or reading materials for students to research their arguments.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign a debate topic to each. Make sure each group is clear on which side of the argument they are on.
2. Give students time to research their topic and prepare their arguments. They should consider both their points and potential counterarguments.
3. When it’s time for the debate, each group presents their arguments, alternating between the ‘for’ and ‘against’ sides. Encourage students to rebut and respond to each other’s points.
4. After the debate, facilitate a class discussion. Ask students to reflect on the arguments presented and the language used.

Benefits of the Activity: Debates offer numerous benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a practical context for students to practice persuasive language and argumentation.
• Enhance critical thinking skills as students have to construct and deconstruct arguments.
• Develop active listening skills as students need to respond to each other’s points.
• Build confidence in speaking as students present and defend their arguments.
• Encourage students to explore different perspectives on a topic, promoting empathy and understanding.

Incorporating debates into your ESL lessons can provide a dynamic and engaging way for students to practice their English speaking skills. Not only will they be learning to express their ideas more effectively, but they’ll also be developing valuable skills in critical thinking and active listening.

Information Gap Activities: Bridging the Gap

Information Gap activities are a staple in the communicative approach to language teaching. These activities involve students having different pieces of information that they need to share with each other to complete a task. It’s a great way for students to practice asking and answering questions, giving and following directions, and explaining ideas.

Materials Needed: The materials for this activity depend on the specific task. You might need task sheets with different information, maps with missing details, or incomplete diagrams. The key is that each student or pair of students has a piece of the puzzle, and they need to communicate effectively to put it all together.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each a different set of information.
2. The task is for students to fill in the gaps in their information by communicating with their peers. They should ask questions, give answers, and clarify information as needed.
3. Once students believe they have completed the task, check their work. If there are any mistakes or missing information, they should go back and continue the activity.
4. After the activity, facilitate a class discussion. Reflect on the communication strategies used and the language practiced during the activity.

Benefits of the Activity: Information Gap activities offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a practical context for students to practice specific language functions, such as asking and answering questions.
• Encourage cooperative learning as students work together to complete the task.
• Enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills as students figure out how to obtain the information they need.
• Build confidence in speaking as students interact directly with their peers.
• Foster active listening skills as students need to understand their peers’ information.

Incorporating Information Gap activities into your ESL lessons can provide a fun and interactive way for students to practice their English speaking skills. They’ll be learning to communicate more effectively while also developing valuable skills in problem-solving and cooperation.

Presentations: Public Speaking in ESL

Presentations are an excellent way for students to practice their public speaking skills in English. They can present on a topic of their choice or one assigned by the teacher, providing an opportunity to practice organizing and expressing their thoughts in a structured format.

Materials Needed: Students will need time to prepare their presentations. They may also need access to resources for research, and materials or technology for visual aids, such as PowerPoint slides or posters.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a topic or let students choose their own. The topic should be appropriate for their proficiency level and relevant to their interests or course content.
2. Give students time to prepare their presentations. They should think about how to structure their talk, what information to include, and how to make their points clear and engaging.
3. Students then deliver their presentations to the class. Encourage them to speak clearly, maintain eye contact with the audience, and use their visual aids effectively.
4. After each presentation, allow time for questions and feedback from the class.

Benefits of the Activity: Presentations offer numerous benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Help students practice organizing and expressing their thoughts in English.
• Build confidence in public speaking.
• Enhance research and planning skills.
• Provide an opportunity for students to delve deeper into a topic of interest.
• Foster active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s presentations.

Guessing Games: Fun with Descriptions for Young Learners

Guessing Games are a fun and interactive way for young learners to practice their descriptive language skills. In this activity, students describe a person, place, or thing without naming it, and the rest of the class tries to guess what it is.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a set of cards or pictures with different people, places, or things for the students to describe.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Give a card or picture to a student, making sure the rest of the class can’t see it.
2. The student describes the person, place, or thing on the card without saying its name.
3. The rest of the class tries to guess what the student is describing.
4. The game continues with different students taking turns to describe and guess.

Benefits of the Activity: Guessing Games offer several benefits for young ESL learners. They:

• Provide a fun and interactive way for students to practice their descriptive language skills.
• Encourage creativity as students think of different ways to describe the same thing.
• Foster active listening skills as students listen to the descriptions and try to guess the answers.
• Build confidence in speaking as students take turns describing and guessing.

News Report: Current Affairs in ESL

Creating a News Report is a dynamic activity that can help students practice formal language and reporting skills. It involves students researching a current event and presenting it as a news report, either individually or in groups. This enables learners to engage in conversations about the news in their daily lives.

Materials Needed: Students will need access to news resources for research. They may also need materials to create their news report, such as paper and pens for a written report, or a camera and microphone for a video report.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a current event or let students choose their own. The event should be appropriate for their proficiency level and relevant to their interests.
2. Give students time to research the event and prepare their news report. They should think about the key facts of the event, the different perspectives involved, and how to present the information clearly and objectively.
3. Students then present their news reports to the class. Encourage them to speak clearly, use formal language, and present the information in a balanced way.
4. After each report, facilitate a class discussion about the event and the language used in the report.

Benefits of the Activity: Creating a News Report offers numerous benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a practical context for students to practice formal language and reporting skills.
• Enhance research and critical thinking skills as students delve into a current event.
• Foster media literacy as students learn to analyze and present news information.
• Build confidence in public speaking.
• Foster active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s reports.

Problem-Solving: Collaborative Learning in ESL

Problem-Solving activities are a great way to get students working together and communicating in English. These activities involve presenting students with a problem or challenge that they need to solve collaboratively.

Materials Needed: The materials for this activity will depend on the problem you set. You might need puzzle pieces, task cards with the problem scenario, or physical materials for a building challenge.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into small groups and present each group with the same problem or challenge. This could be a riddle to solve, a mystery to unravel, or a structure to build.
2. Students work together to solve the problem, discussing their ideas and strategies in English.
3. Once the groups have completed the task, have them present their solutions to the class. Encourage them to explain their thought process and the steps they took to solve the problem.
4. Facilitate a class discussion about the different solutions and the language used during the activity.

Benefits of the Activity: Problem-Solving activities offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Encourage collaborative learning as students work together to solve a problem.
• Provide a practical context for students to practice their English speaking skills.
• Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Build confidence in speaking as students interact with their peers and present their solutions.
• Foster active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s solutions.

The Mystery Bag: Sensory Language Practice

The Mystery Bag is a fun and interactive activity for practicing sensory language and descriptive skills. It involves students feeling an object in a bag and describing it to the rest of the class, who then try to guess what it is.

Materials Needed: For this activity, you’ll need a bag and a variety of objects with different shapes, sizes, and textures.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Place an object in the bag without showing it to the class.
2. Have a student feel the object in the bag without looking. The student then describes the object to the class, focusing on its size, shape, texture, weight, and any other sensory details.
3. The rest of the class listens to the description and tries to guess what the object is.
4. The game continues with different students and objects.

Benefits of the Activity: The Mystery Bag offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice their descriptive language skills.
• Encourages creativity as students think of different ways to describe the same object.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to the descriptions and try to guess the answers.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students take turns describing and guessing.

Playing 20 Questions: Inquisitive Minds at Play

Playing 20 Questions is a classic game that’s perfect for practicing question formation and critical thinking skills. In this game, one student thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the rest of the class asks up to 20 yes/no questions to figure out what it is.

Materials Needed: No specific materials are needed for this activity, although you might choose to use picture cards or word cards to provide ideas for the students.

Conducting the Activity:

1. One student thinks of a person, place, or thing, or chooses one from a card if you’re using them.
2. The rest of the class takes turns asking yes/no questions to figure out what the student is thinking of. They can ask up to 20 questions.
3. The game continues until the class guesses correctly or they run out of questions.

Benefits of the Activity: Playing 20 Questions offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice question formation.
• Enhances critical thinking skills as students have to think strategically about their questions.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to the answers and adjust their guesses accordingly.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students interact directly with their peers.
• Encourages curiosity and deeper understanding as students learn to ask relevant questions.

Speeches: Formal Language Practice

Giving speeches is a valuable activity for more advanced ESL students. It provides an opportunity to practice formal language, public speaking, and the organization of ideas. Speech topics can range from personal experiences to persuasive arguments on current issues.

Materials Needed: Students will need time and resources to prepare their speeches. Depending on the topic, they may need to conduct research. They may also need notecards for their speaking notes or technology for any visual aids they want to use.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a topic or let students choose their own. The topic should be appropriate for their proficiency level and relevant to their interests or course content.
2. Give students time to prepare their speeches. They should think about how to structure their speech, what points they want to make, and how to support their ideas.
3. Students then deliver their speeches to the class. Encourage them to speak clearly, maintain eye contact with the audience, and use their visual aids effectively.
4. After each speech, allow time for questions and feedback from the class.

Benefits of the Activity: Giving speeches offers numerous benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice formal language and public speaking.
• Enhances research and planning skills.
• Builds confidence in speaking in front of others.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s speeches.

Dialogue Journals: Interactive Learning

Dialogue Journals are written conversations between the teacher and student. While not a speaking activity per se, they can help students develop their conversational skills, grammar, and vocabulary in a low-pressure environment.

Materials Needed: Each student will need a journal for this activity. This could be a physical notebook or a digital document, depending on your preference.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Each student starts by writing an entry in their journal. They can write about their day, ask questions, or respond to a prompt that you give them.
2. You then read each student’s entry and write a response. Your response should model correct language use and may include comments, answers to questions, or further questions to keep the conversation going.
3. The activity continues back and forth like this over time, creating an ongoing written dialogue.

Benefits of the Activity: Dialogue Journals offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a low-pressure environment for students to practice their English.
• Allow for individualized instruction as you can tailor your responses to each student’s needs.
• Enhance writing and reading skills alongside conversational skills.
• Foster a sense of connection between you and the student.

Charades: Non-Verbal Communication for Young Learners

Charades is a fun and interactive game that can help young learners practice their English vocabulary and sentence structure. In this game, students act out a word or phrase without speaking, and the rest of the class tries to guess what it is.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a set of cards with words or phrases for the students to act out. These could be verbs (like “jump” or “eat”), animals (like “cat” or “elephant”), or even simple sentences (like “I brush my teeth”).

Conducting the Activity:

1. One student chooses a card and acts out the word or phrase without speaking or making any sound.
2. The rest of the class watches and tries to guess the word or phrase. They should guess by making full sentences (like “Are you jumping?” or “Is it a cat?”).
3. The game continues with different students taking turns to act and guess.

Benefits of the Activity: Charades offers several benefits for young ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice their English vocabulary and sentence structure.
• Encourages creativity and physical movement, which can help keep young learners engaged.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to the guesses and adjust their acting accordingly.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students take turns guessing in full sentences.

Listening and Drawing: Visualizing Language

Listening and Drawing is an engaging activity that helps students practice their listening comprehension and following instructions in English. In this activity, students listen to a description or a set of instructions and draw what they hear.

Materials Needed: Students will need paper and drawing materials for this activity. You’ll need a script or a set of instructions to read out.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Students start with a blank piece of paper. You read out a description or a set of instructions for something to draw.
2. Students listen carefully and draw what they hear. They should not ask questions or confirm their understanding during the activity.
3. Once the drawing is complete, students can compare their drawings and discuss any differences. You can also reveal the original image or intended result for comparison.

Benefits of the Activity: Listening and Drawing offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice their listening comprehension.
• Helps students practice following instructions in English.
• Encourages creativity and visual thinking.
• Fosters active listening skills as students need to pay close attention to the details.
• Builds confidence as students see the results of their listening skills.

Story Retelling: Reinforcing Narrative Skills

Story Retelling is a powerful activity to reinforce narrative skills, comprehension, and memory. In this activity, students listen to a story and then retell it in their own words.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a story for this activity. This could be a short story, a chapter from a book, or a story that you tell orally. The story should be appropriate for the students’ proficiency level.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Read the story to the class or have them read it individually.
2. Once they’ve heard or read the story, students take turns retelling it in their own words. They should try to include the main events and characters, but they can also add their own interpretations or details.
3. After each retelling, facilitate a class discussion about the story and the different ways it was retold.

Benefits of the Activity: Story Retelling offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Helps students practice narrative skills and comprehension.
• Enhances memory and recall as students have to remember and retell the story.
• Encourages creativity as students add their own interpretations or details.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s retellings.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students share their retellings with the class.

Find Someone Who: Interactive Icebreaker

Find Someone Who is a popular icebreaker activity that gets students up and moving. It involves students finding classmates who match certain criteria, providing a fun and interactive way for students to practice their question-asking and answering skills.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a worksheet with a list of criteria for this activity. The criteria could be things like “Find someone who has a pet” or “Find someone who has been to another country”.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Give each student a worksheet and explain the activity. Students will walk around the room and ask their classmates questions to find someone who matches each criterion.
2. Students interact with each other, asking questions and responding in English. They should try to find a different person for each criterion.
3. Once students have found someone who matches each criterion, they can sit down. You can then facilitate a class discussion about what they learned about their classmates.

Benefits of the Activity: Find Someone Who offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice their question-asking and answering skills.
• Helps students get to know each other, fostering a sense of community in the class.
• Encourages movement and active learning.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students interact directly with their peers.
• Fosters active listening skills as students need to listen to and understand their classmates’ responses.

Discussion Circles: Group Conversations in ESL

Discussion Circles are a great way to get students talking about a topic in depth. In this activity, students sit in a circle and discuss a topic, question, or text, providing a structured yet flexible way to practice conversational English.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a discussion topic or question for this activity. This could be a controversial statement, a thought-provoking question, or a text that students have read.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Arrange the students in a circle and present the discussion topic or question.
2. Students take turns speaking, giving their opinions, responding to each other, and asking follow-up questions. Encourage them to use appropriate discussion language and to listen actively when they’re not speaking.
3. As the teacher, you can participate in the discussion, but try to let the students do most of the talking. You can also guide the discussion by asking probing questions or bringing up new points.
4. After the discussion, facilitate a class reflection. Reflect on the content of the discussion as well as the language used.

Benefits of the Activity: Discussion Circles offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a structured yet flexible context for students to practice conversational English.
• Enhance critical thinking skills as students discuss a topic in depth.
• Foster active listening skills as students respond to each other’s points.
• Build confidence in speaking as students express their opinions and ideas.
• Encourage respect for different perspectives as students hear a variety of viewpoints.

Book Club: Literature in ESL

A Book Club can be a wonderful way for students to engage with English literature and practice their speaking skills. Students read a book (or a chapter of a book) and then discuss it in class, providing an opportunity to explore themes, characters, plot, and language in depth.

Materials Needed: You’ll need copies of the book for each student. Choose a book that is appropriate for your students’ proficiency level and interests.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a book or a chapter for students to read before the class.
2. In class, facilitate a discussion about the book. Ask open-ended questions about the plot, characters, themes, and language. Encourage students to share their opinions and respond to each other’s comments.
3. After the discussion, you can focus on specific language points from the book, such as vocabulary, grammar structures, or literary devices.

Benefits of the Activity: A Book Club offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a context for students to explore English literature and culture.
• Enhances reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
• Fosters active listening skills as students respond to each other’s comments.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students express their opinions and ideas.
• Encourages a love of reading in English.

Dictation: Listening and Repeating

Dictation is a classic language learning activity that can help students practice their listening comprehension, spelling, and grammar. In this activity, you read a sentence or a short paragraph aloud, and students write down exactly what they hear.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a script for this activity. This could be a sentence, a paragraph, or a short text, depending on your students’ proficiency level.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Choose a script that is appropriate for your students’ proficiency level and relevant to your lesson content.
2. Read the script aloud at a normal pace. Students listen and write down what they hear.
3. Repeat the script a few times, allowing students to fill in any gaps or correct any mistakes.
4. Once the dictation is complete, reveal the written script. Students can then check their work and discuss any difficulties or challenges they faced.

Benefits of the Activity: Dictation offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Helps students practice their listening comprehension in a focused way.
• Enhances spelling and grammar skills as students have to write down exactly what they hear.
• Provides a quiet, focused activity that can balance out more interactive or noisy activities.
• Builds confidence as students see the results of their listening skills.

Travel Agency Activity: Planning and Persuasion

The Travel Agency activity is a fun and interactive way for students to practice their persuasive language skills. In this activity, students work in pairs or small groups to plan a trip and then try to persuade the rest of the class to join their tour.

Materials Needed: You’ll need resources for students to research their trip, such as travel brochures, internet access, or travel books. You might also want to provide poster paper and markers for students to create their travel advertisements.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign each a destination. The destination could be a city, a country, or a type of trip (like a beach vacation or a cultural tour).
2. Students research their destination and plan a trip, including the itinerary, accommodations, and attractions.
3. Students then create a travel advertisement for their trip and present it to the class, trying to persuade their classmates to join their tour.
4. After all the presentations, the class votes on which trip they would most like to join.

Benefits of the Activity: The Travel Agency activity offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice persuasive language.
• Enhances research and planning skills.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students present their trip to the class.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and evaluate each other’s presentations.
• Encourages creativity and teamwork as students work together to plan their trip and create their advertisement.

Job Interview Role-Plays: Preparing for the Real World

Job Interview Role-Plays are a valuable activity for more advanced ESL students. They provide an opportunity to practice formal language, answer common interview questions, and discuss career-related topics.

Materials Needed: You’ll need role-play cards for this activity. These should include a job description and a list of common interview questions.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs and give each a role-play card. One student will be the interviewer and the other will be the job applicant.
2. Students prepare for their roles, with the applicant thinking about how to answer the interview questions and the interviewer thinking about what they’re looking for in a candidate.
3. Students then act out their role-play. After each role-play, facilitate a class discussion about the interview, the language used, and how to prepare for a job interview in English.

Benefits of the Activity: Job Interview Role-Plays offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a practical context for students to practice formal language and job interview skills.
• Enhance students’ understanding of job interviews and career-related topics.
• Build confidence in speaking as students act out different roles.
• Foster active listening skills as students respond to each other in the role-play.
• Prepare students for real-world situations, such as job interviews in English.

Story Cubes: Narrative Skills for Young Learners

Story Cubes are a fun and creative way for young learners to practice their narrative skills. In this activity, students roll dice with pictures on each face and then create a story based on the pictures that come up.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a set of story cubes for this activity. These are dice with different pictures on each face. If you don’t have story cubes, you can make your own with regular dice and a list of pictures corresponding to each number.

Conducting the Activity:

1. One student rolls the story cubes and looks at the pictures that come up.
2. The student then creates a story that includes all of the pictures. They can make the story as imaginative and creative as they like.
3. The game continues with different students rolling the cubes and telling their stories.

Benefits of the Activity: Story Cubes offer several benefits for young ESL learners. They:

• Provide a fun and creative way for students to practice their narrative skills.
• Enhance creativity and imagination as students create their own stories.
• Build confidence in speaking as students tell their stories to the class.
• Foster active listening skills as students listen to and respond to each other’s stories.

Discussion Circles: The Power of Group Discussion

Discussion Circles are a great way to get students talking about a topic in depth. In this activity, students sit in a circle and discuss a topic, question, or text, providing a structured yet flexible way to practice conversational English.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a discussion topic or question for this activity. This could be a controversial statement, a thought-provoking question, or a text that students have read.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Arrange the students in a circle and present the discussion topic or question.
2. Students take turns speaking, giving their opinions, responding to each other, and asking follow-up questions. Encourage them to use appropriate discussion language and to listen actively when they’re not speaking.
3. As the teacher, you can participate in the discussion, but try to let the students do most of the talking. You can also guide the discussion by asking probing questions or bringing up new points.
4. After the discussion, facilitate a class reflection. Reflect on the content of the discussion as well as the language used.

Benefits of the Activity: Discussion Circles offer several benefits for ESL learners. They:

• Provide a structured yet flexible context for students to practice conversational English.
• Enhance critical thinking skills as students discuss a topic in depth.
• Foster active listening skills as students respond to each other’s points.
• Build confidence in speaking as students express their opinions and ideas.
• Encourage respect for different perspectives as students hear a variety of viewpoints.

Podcast Creation: Modern Learning for Adult Learners

Creating a podcast is a modern and engaging way for adult learners to practice their English skills. In this activity, students work in pairs or small groups to create a podcast episode on a topic of their choice.

Materials Needed: Students will need a recording device for this activity. This could be a smartphone, a computer with a microphone, or a dedicated audio recorder. They’ll also need a topic for their podcast episode.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign each a topic for their podcast episode. The topic should be something they’re interested in and can research.
2. Students research their topic and plan their podcast episode. They should think about what points they want to make, who will say what, and how to engage their listeners.
3. Students then record their podcast episode. They can do this in one take or edit together multiple takes for a more polished result.
4. Once the podcasts are complete, have a listening party where you play each podcast and discuss them as a class.

Benefits of the Activity: Creating a podcast offers several benefits for adult ESL learners. It:

• Provides a modern and engaging context for students to practice their English skills.
• Enhances research and planning skills.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students record their podcast episodes.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s podcasts.
• Encourages digital literacy skills as students record and edit their podcasts.

Picture Story Activity: Sequential Storytelling

The Picture Story activity is a fun and creative way for students to practice their narrative skills and sequential language. In this activity, students arrange pictures to create a story and then tell the story to the class.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a set of pictures for this activity. The pictures should be able to be arranged in different ways to create different stories. I’ve written a complete guide on creating story sequencing pictures with ChatGPT and given away all the necessary prompts you use with little effort.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each a set of pictures.
2. Students arrange the pictures to create a story. They should think about the sequence of events, the characters, and the plot.
3. Students then tell their story to the class, using the pictures as a guide.
4. After each story, facilitate a class discussion about the story and the language used.

Benefits of the Activity: The Picture Story activity offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and creative way for students to practice their narrative skills and sequential language.
• Enhances creativity and imagination as students create their own stories.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students tell their stories to the class.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and respond to each other’s stories.

Surveys: Data Collection and Discussion

Conducting surveys is a practical way for students to practice their question-asking and data-interpretation skills. In this activity, students create a survey, collect data from their classmates, and then discuss the results.

Materials Needed: Students will need paper and pens for this activity. They might also need resources to research their survey topic.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign each a survey topic. The topic should be something they can collect data on from their classmates.
2. Students create a survey with a variety of question types, such as yes/no questions, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended questions.
3. Students then conduct their survey, asking their classmates the questions and recording their answers.
4. Once the surveys are complete, students analyze the data and present their findings to the class.

Benefits of the Activity: Conducting surveys offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice their question-asking and data-interpretation skills.
• Enhances research and analytical skills.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students conduct their surveys and present their findings.
• Fosters active listening skills as students respond to the survey questions and listen to the presentations.

Movie Reviews: Critical Thinking in Action

Writing and discussing movie reviews is a fun way for students to practice their critical thinking and persuasive language skills. In this activity, students watch a movie, write a review, and then discuss their reviews in class.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a movie for this activity. Choose a movie that is appropriate for your students’ proficiency level and interests. Students will also need paper and pens to write their reviews.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a movie for students to watch before the class. This could be for homework or you could watch the movie together in class if time allows.
2. After watching the movie, students write a review. They should include a summary of the movie, their opinion of it, and reasons to support their opinion.
3. In class, students share their reviews and discuss the movie. Facilitate a discussion about the different opinions and the language used in the reviews.
4. You can use conversation questions to facilitate the discussions.

Benefits of the Activity: Writing and discussing movie reviews offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun context for students to practice their critical thinking and persuasive language skills.
• Enhances writing skills as students write their reviews.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students share their reviews and discuss the movie.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and respond to each other’s reviews.

I Spy: Observation and Description

I Spy is a classic game that can be adapted for the ESL classroom to practice observation and descriptive language. In this activity, one student describes something they can see, and the other students guess what it is.

Materials Needed: This activity doesn’t require any specific materials. You can play it in the classroom using the objects and people that are present.

Conducting the Activity:

1. One student chooses something in the room and says “I spy with my little eye something that…” and then gives a description. The description could be about the color, size, shape, or function of the object.
2. The other students take turns guessing what the object is. The student who guesses correctly gets to describe the next object.

Benefits of the Activity: I Spy offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice their observation and descriptive language skills.
• Enhances vocabulary as students describe and guess different objects.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students describe objects and guess what others are describing.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to the descriptions and guesses.

Mock Trial Activity: Legal Language in Practice

A Mock Trial is a dynamic activity for more advanced ESL students to practice legal language and persuasive speaking. In this activity, students take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, and jurors in a simulated trial.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a case for the trial. This could be a real case, a fictional case, or a simplified version of a complex case. You’ll also need role cards with character descriptions and information about the case.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into roles and give each student a role card. The roles could include lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and a judge.
2. Students prepare for the trial, with the lawyers preparing their arguments and questions, the witnesses preparing their testimonies, and the jurors preparing to listen and make a decision.
3. Conduct the trial, with the lawyers presenting their cases, the witnesses giving their testimonies, and the jurors listening and making a decision.
4. After the trial, facilitate a class discussion about the trial, the language used, and the legal concepts involved.

Benefits of the Activity: A Mock Trial offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice legal language and persuasive speaking.
• Enhances students’ understanding of legal concepts and courtroom procedures.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students take on different roles.
• Fosters active listening skills as students respond to each other in the trial.
• Encourages critical thinking as students prepare their roles and make decisions during the trial.

Describing a Process: Sequential Language Practice

Describing a Process is a useful activity for students to practice sequential language and technical vocabulary. In this activity, students describe a process, such as cooking a recipe, assembling a piece of furniture, or conducting a science experiment.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a process for students to describe. This could be a recipe, assembly instructions, a science experiment procedure, or any other process that involves a sequence of steps.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign a process for students to describe. This could be for homework or you could describe the process together in class.
2. Students describe the process, using sequential language and the appropriate technical vocabulary. They should try to make their description as clear and detailed as possible.
3. After the descriptions are complete, facilitate a class discussion about the process, the language used, and any difficulties or challenges in describing the process.

Benefits of the Activity: Describing a Process offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a practical context for students to practice sequential language and technical vocabulary.
• Enhances students’ understanding of process and procedure.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students describe a process in detail.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and discuss the process descriptions.

Board Games: Learning through Play in ESL

Board Games are a fun and interactive way for students to practice English in a relaxed setting. In this activity, students play a board game, using English to discuss the game, make decisions, and interact with each other.

Materials Needed: You’ll need a board game for this activity. Choose a game that involves some level of language use, such as Scrabble, Pictionary, or a trivia game.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Divide the class into small groups and give each a board game.
2. Students play the game, using English to discuss the game, make decisions, and interact with each other.
3. After the game, facilitate a class discussion about the game, the language used, and any new vocabulary or phrases that were learned.

Benefits of the Activity: Playing Board Games offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a fun and relaxed context for students to practice English.
• Enhances a variety of language skills, depending on the game.
• Encourages cooperative learning as students play together.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students interact in a low-pressure setting.
• Fosters active listening skills as students respond to each other during the game.

Cultural Exchange: Broadening Horizons in ESL

Activity Description: The Cultural Exchange activity is a fantastic way for students to learn about different cultures and practice their speaking skills. In this activity, students research a specific culture and present their findings to the class. This could be their own culture, the culture of an English-speaking country, or any other culture that interests them.

Materials Needed: Students will need resources to research their chosen culture. This could be books, internet access, or even interviews with people from that culture.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Assign each student (or pair/group of students) a culture to research. This could be assigned by you, or students could choose their own.
2. Students research their chosen culture, focusing on aspects such as traditions, customs, food, language, history, and more.
3. Students prepare a presentation about their chosen culture. This could be a spoken presentation, a poster, a slideshow, or even a demonstration of a cultural activity.
4. Students present their findings to the class. Encourage the class to ask questions and engage in a discussion about each culture.

Benefits of the Activity: The Cultural Exchange activity offers several benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Provides a meaningful context for students to practice their research and speaking skills.
• Enhances students’ global awareness and understanding of different cultures.
• Builds confidence in speaking as students present their findings to the class.
• Fosters active listening skills as students listen to and discuss each other’s presentations.
• Encourages respect for diversity and an appreciation for different cultures.

Question to Question: Transforming Statements into Questions

Question to Question is an engaging and thought-provoking activity designed to enhance ESL learners’ questioning and speaking skills. By transforming their own statements into questions, students gain a deeper understanding of sentence structure and improve their ability to communicate in English.

Materials Needed: The only materials required for this activity are the list of questions provided by the teacher and a notebook or paper for students to write their answers and subsequent questions. The questions can be related to various topics like daily routines, hobbies, favorite things, or personal experiences.

Conducting the Activity:

1. Let students know about the upcoming Question to Question session well in advance, and explain its purpose. Provide the list of questions in advance to allow students to think about and prepare their answers.
2. On the day of the activity, each student individually answers the list of questions. Encourage them to write detailed responses, as this will make the next step easier and more meaningful.
3. After answering the questions, students will set aside the original list and create questions from their own statements. For example, if a student’s answer to “What is your favorite hobby?” is “My favorite hobby is painting,” they will transform it into the question, “What is my favorite hobby?”
4. In pairs or small groups, students take turns presenting their original statements and the questions they derived. They should explain their thought process and how they converted each answer into a question. This promotes deeper understanding and reinforces learning.
5. To encourage interaction, have students ask follow-up questions to their peers based on the new questions generated. This fosters a dynamic and engaging discussion.

Benefits of the Activity: Question to Question offers numerous benefits for ESL learners. It:

• Enhances question formation skills.
• Improves understanding of sentence structure.
• Boosts confidence in speaking.
• Fosters critical thinking.
• Encourages peer interaction.

Incorporating Question to Question into your ESL classroom offers a unique and effective way for students to practice speaking and question formation skills while engaging with their peers in a meaningful and enjoyable manner.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ESL speaking activities for your ESL class can make a big difference in your students’ engagement and progress. Consider your students’ proficiency level, interests, and learning goals when choosing activities.

Remember that variety is key – a mix of quiet and noisy activities, individual and group work, and different types of language practice will keep your classes interesting and effective. Happy teaching!

FAQs on ESL Speaking Activities

1. What are ESL speaking activities?

ESL speaking activities are tasks that help students practice speaking English in a structured and enjoyable way. These activities can include conversations, role-playing, games, discussions, and presentations. They are designed to improve students’ fluency, pronunciation, and confidence in using English.

2. Why are ESL speaking activities important?

ESL speaking activities are important because they provide students with opportunities to practice speaking English in a safe and supportive environment. This practice helps students improve their fluency, pronunciation, and ability to communicate effectively in English. It also boosts their confidence, making them more willing to use English in real-life situations.

3. How often should I use ESL speaking activities in my lessons?

It’s beneficial to incorporate ESL speaking activities into every lesson. Even dedicating a few minutes to speaking practice in each class can significantly help students improve their speaking skills. Regular practice ensures that students are continuously developing their ability to communicate in English.

4. Can ESL speaking activities be used with beginners?

Yes, ESL speaking activities can be adapted for all proficiency levels, including beginners. For beginners, use simple vocabulary and short, easy-to-understand sentences. Activities like basic conversations, simple role-playing, and using visual aids can help beginners practice speaking in a manageable and encouraging way.

5. How can I make ESL speaking activities fun?

To make ESL speaking activities fun, use games, role-playing, and topics that interest your students. Incorporating elements of competition, such as team-based games or challenges, can also make activities more engaging. Using real-life scenarios that students can relate to, like ordering food in a restaurant or asking for directions, adds relevance and enjoyment to the practice.

6. What if my students are too shy to speak?

If students are too shy to speak, start with low-pressure activities, such as pair work or small group discussions, where they can speak without the whole class listening. Encourage participation by creating a supportive atmosphere, praising their efforts, and gradually increasing the complexity of the activities as their confidence grows.

7. How can I correct mistakes during speaking activities?

When correcting mistakes, focus on being gentle and positive. Instead of interrupting students, note common errors and address them after the activity. Provide specific feedback and model correct usage. Praise their attempts to speak and gently guide them towards improvement without making them feel embarrassed or discouraged.

8. Can ESL speaking activities help with listening skills?

Yes, ESL speaking activities also improve listening skills. When students engage in conversations or role-playing, they must listen carefully to their partners to respond appropriately. This dual focus on speaking and listening helps reinforce their overall communication skills in English.

9. How do I choose topics for ESL speaking activities?

Choose topics that are interesting and relevant to your students’ lives. Ask them about their interests, hobbies, and daily experiences. Topics related to current events, popular culture, and everyday scenarios can make the activities more engaging and meaningful for students.

10. Can technology be used for ESL speaking activities?

Yes, technology can enhance ESL speaking activities. Use language learning apps, online games, and video chat platforms to create interactive and dynamic speaking opportunities. Recording tools can also help students practice and review their speaking, while online forums and discussion boards can provide additional platforms for practice.