There are several games that educators and parents can use to help non-English-speaking kids learn the language. In general, children are quick learners. If they are in English-immersion settings, they can learn basic conversational English in a few months and be fluent in less than two years. They can learn academic English for reading, writing and speaking in less than five years.

Physical Response Games
Total physical response is a popular method for educators of English as a second language or English as a foreign language. It is a good introductory method, because it requires children to listen and respond physically, rather than verbally.

One typical physical response game is Simon Says. Begin with basic actions that students can imitate and move to two-motion patterns or prompts that you do not model but just state.

Song and Dance Games
There are many songs and dances that kids can learn and act out that will help them with basic English vocabulary. Try "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "The Hokey Pokey" for starters. Hand-clapping games and patterned jump rope rhymes are other rhythmic, rhyme-based strategies for teaching English language-learners. "Miss Mary Mac" and "Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish" are typical patterned songs. You can also use "Old MacDonald" to teach animals and animal sounds, and counting songs and games to teach numbers.

Board and Card Games
Board games and card games can be an ideal way to support English language-learners, especially when used as centers or stations. Set up games that require verbal questions and answers such as Guess Who?, Go Fish or Bingo. You can also create customized versions of Bingo or card games that are relevant to the vocabulary you are teaching. For example, if you are working on a unit about colors, create Bingo cards with squares of different colors. Call out the names of colors and have children match the color with its name. Memory card games are another way to provide a visual reinforcement of a series of new vocabulary words.