English ESL activities are a wonderful way of introducing new topics, vocabulary and grammar to foreign learners of English, as well as consolidating knowledge. Activities such as games or role play are especially good for introducing new topics or closing lessons. Different activities should be planned for different age groups and skill levels.

Young Children And Beginners

Draw a line in chalk on the classroom floor or lay down a skipping rope, dividing the classroom in two. One side of the dividing line will be "true" and the other "false." Ask the children to stand in a line along the rope. Show the class a flashcard and make a statement about it. For example: "This is an apple." The children should then jump to either the true or false side of the dividing line. With each round, the children who were wrong can sit out until you have a winner. Older children or adults may also benefit from this activity, but with the use of interactive voting software rather than jumping.

Older Children & Intermediate-Level Learners

Older children and intermediate-level learners are ready to begin constructing sentences and experimenting with various tenses and moods. Teach students to give instructions using the imperative by writing on cards a number of simple activities, such as making a sandwich. Ask each student to pick a card. On his or her turn, each student must come to the front of the class and tell the other students using the imperative what to do in order to complete the action. The other students mime the action to show they understand.

Teenagers, Adults and Advanced Learners

Set up a debate. Before the class give the students a controversial statement, such as "A woman's place is in the home." Divide the class in two and assign each half of the class to one side of the debate. Students might not agree with the side of the argument that they have been given, but this forces them to research new language which they might not have otherwise learned. On the day of the debate sit the class in a circle with the two sides facing each other. Ensure each student is given the opportunity to speak and respond to questions and arguments from the other side.

Vocabulary Game: The Hot Seat

This game is suitable for learners from intermediate upwards and is appropriate for any age group. Ask one student to sit in the "hot seat" with her back to the blackboard. The other students should be able to see the board. Write a word on the board that the class has recently learned. The students who can see the board should give the student in the hot seat clues about the word to help her guess it, without giving away its spelling or the letter it begins with. An example might be "bicycle" with clues like, "It is a mode of transport with two wheels."