Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It's about educating children about the world they live in and how language does not have to be a barrier. The Olympic games are classroom topic that engages student interest, allowing them to feel national pride while learning about other countries and improving their English.

Olympic Verb Association

When students have mastered the English names of Olympic games like gymnastics, skiing and baseball, it's time to focus on the verbs that they need to discuss these games. Often, many of these verbs will be new to the students' vocabulary. Ask the students to name their favorite Olympic events and write them on the board. Then go through each sport one at a time and ask students what the athletes do. Write short phrases next to each sport, such as "kick the ball," "jump the hurdle" or "dive into the pool." For extra fun when introducing new verbs, call on a student to mime the action for the class. This is not only entertaining, but helps students retain the new verb vocabulary.

Olympic Bingo

Create your own bingo cards either on a word processor or using a website that provides printable templates. Use words associated with the current Olympics (summer or winter), including the events, verbs associated with the sports, location names like the host city and stadiums, names of competing countries and other associated words like "gold" and "medal." Because this is "Olympic" bingo, think big: Take two or more regular bingo grids and tape or staple them side by side, doubling the number of words students must get in a row to win. To make the game more challenging, give a hint to the word rather than just calling it out. For example, if you draw "swimming," say "this is the event where competitors have to do the butterfly, backstroke, freestyle," until students guess swimming, then locate the word on their bingo cards.

Olympic History Trivia

On a set of index cards, write down several questions about Olympic history. These can be tailored to the proficiency level of your students. For example, an elementary ESL class should include questions like "What city are the Olympics in this year?" Older students can handle "What do the five rings mean on the Olympic symbol?" Write the answers beneath the questions or on the other side of the card. Divide the class into two teams and provide them with a buzzer or bell. Ask a question, and the first team to buzz must answer within five seconds. You can move from student to student or allow them to collaborate as a team on each question. Reward a point for each question until you are finished, and the team with the most points wins.