Teaching young students English as a Second Language, ESL, can be fun for both the students and for the instructor, especially with the use of games. According to the Cambridge University Press, "Language learning is hard work. ... Effort is required at every moment and must be maintained over a long period of time. Games help and encourage many learners to sustain their interest and work."

Comic Strip
Creating a comic strip can be a fun way to teach students how to write short phrases or sentences. Draw a template or print one (see Resources, below). Have students break into groups of two and tell them to create a scene that coincides with the pictures in the template. Have the kids reenact the comic for the class.

Time
One of the basic tools ESL students need to learn is how to communicate time in English. Create the template of six clocks or print them off (see Resources). Write out the corresponding time of each clock on a separate piece of paper or on individual cards. Have the students place the written time under each clock.

Passport
A four-page assignment directing students to create a passport that details their information can be an ideal introductory assignment for students. Assign students to write their name and the school name on the front page. The second page can consist of personal information such as the student's age, height, gender, home town and birthday. Likes and dislikes can be listed on the third page. On the final page, the student can choose their favorite color, sport, TV show or anything else and name any details they can about the topic.

Color
Teaching students colors by giving them an object of that color or handing them a piece of paper of the corresponding color is a fun way for them to learn. Have the students write the names of the colors on the paper so the students can become familiar with what the words look like on paper. Call a color out in the classroom and have the team with that color stand up and pronounce their color to the classroom.