As the school year winds down and summer approaches, English teachers have a special chance to make the last days of class both fun and educational. By adding exciting games and activities, teachers can celebrate their students’ hard work while keeping them engaged. In this blog post, we’ve gathered 24 fantastic games and activities to keep students motivated and entertained as they finish their English studies for the year. Let’s dive into these creative ideas to make the end of the school year a memorable and enjoyable experience
1. Stop (Folded Story Game)
A student writes the first line of a story on a sheet of A4 paper and folds it to hide the sentence. The next student adds a new line, folds again, and passes it on. Continue until the story is complete. Unfold and enjoy the hilarious results!
2. Speed Chatting
Write 3 conversation starters on the board. Students form two lines facing each other and chat for 1 minute. After the timer, one line rotates left and repeats the activity with a new partner.
3. Word Chain Ball Toss
One student says a word and tosses a ball. The next student says a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word (e.g., nurse → engineer → receptionist). Continue the chain.
4. Who Am I? (Vocabulary Guessing)
Students write vocabulary words on cards and stick them on their foreheads. They then ask yes/no questions to guess the word.
5. Thematic Word Toss
Students stand in a circle. The teacher announces a topic (e.g., food, travel). The student with the ball says a word related to the topic and tosses it to someone else who continues.
6. Letter Scramble Challenge
In groups, students write 6 consonants and 3 vowels on pieces of paper. They have 2 minutes to form as many words as possible using those letters.
7. Vocabulary Relay
Divide students into two teams at the back of the class. Call out a definition. The first student races to the board to write the correct word. Then the next teammate writes a sentence using that word.
8. Pictionary (Vocabulary Edition)
Students draw vocabulary words for their team to guess. No words or letters—just drawings!
9. Hot Seat
One student sits with their back to the board. The teacher writes a word on the board, and the rest of the class gives clues without saying the word. The seated student must guess the word.
10. Design a Personal Flag
Students create a flag using symbols that represent themselves or favorite moments from the school year. Great for self-expression!
11. Lyrics Listening Game
Choose a song and write a line with a missing word on the board. Two students compete to identify when the lyric is sung and what the missing word is.
12. Cultural Show-and-Tell
Students bring in photos or objects to share something special about their culture or family traditions. Create a safe space for Q&A and dialogue.
13. Teacher Trivia
How well do your students know you after spending the year together? Quiz students on fun facts about you (e.g., hobbies, favorite food) using Google Slides. Then let students create their own trivia games about their classmates!
14. Letters to Future Selves
Have students write a letter to themselves in the future—what they hope to learn, accomplish, or feel. Perfect reflective activity for year-end.
15. Movie Title Makeover
List 10 Spanish films. In teams, students invent alternative English titles that are **not** direct translations. Vote on the funniest or most creative title.
16. Find the False Friend
In groups, students write sentences using a “false friend” (a misleading word). Other groups guess which word is incorrect and suggest the correct one. Points for accuracy!
17. Voice-Over Challenge
Play an English-language video clip. Students write a script in Spanish and then dub the scene with their backs to the class while the original clip plays silently.
18. Group Counting Challenge
Students must count to 10 together—but in random order. If two speak at once, start over. Increase difficulty by going up to 20 or adding variations.
19. Candy Facts Icebreaker
Students grab a handful of colored sweets. Each color corresponds to a different question type (e.g., yellow = favorite food, green = a hobby, etc.).
20. Human Knot
Students form a circle and grab two hands from different people. They must untangle the human knot without letting go. A great team-building and problem-solving game.
21. Vocabulary Matching Memory Game
Create a deck of cards with vocabulary words and definitions. Students play in pairs to match them memory-style.
22. Classroom Debate
Pick a fun or controversial topic. Divide students into groups to research and debate each side. Great for practicing persuasive language.
23. Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Write clues or riddles that lead students around the classroom to hidden English words or phrases.
24. Roleplay Roundtable
Assign real-life situations (ordering food, job interviews, giving directions). Students practice the dialogues in pairs or small groups, then perform.
Wrapping up the school year doesn’t have to be stressful — with the right mix of fun and learning, it can be one of the most memorable times for your students. Whether you’re reviewing vocabulary, building confidence, or just celebrating your time together, these 24 ESL games are a great way to end on a high note. Try a few, mix and match, or bookmark this post for inspiration next year. Happy teaching, and have a great summer!