Beginning level English as a Second Language (ESL) activities often center around the basics of the English language, including introductions and common courtesy questions. Beginning level ESL activities help students who are learning to speak English practice the language verbally and through reading and writing as well.

Flash card Exercises
Flash cards are a great first step in learning the English language. The flash card sets help students memorize key words and phrases that are commonly used and speak the words aloud. Sometimes flash cards are sorted by different sets of words, such as animal words or family member words. Other flash card sets include common words and their uses, as well as practical items such as flash cards that depict times of day and numbers on a clock.

Saying Hello Activity
One of the first steps in learning the English language is to learn how to introduce yourself, as well as introduce others. The saying hello activity requires students to have conversations with a partner in the class in order to complete the worksheet. The two students should first choose a way to say hello, and then follow a variety of prompts that will help them learn to communicate better in those first few minutes of a conversation.

ESL Puzzles
It is important to incorporate fun into the learning process for ESL students. Teachers can use a variety of word puzzles to quiz their students on a recent set of words or ideas that they have recently covered. Consider giving students a crossword puzzle that lists items in the classroom. Puzzles like this are available on the website ESL Flow. These puzzles will teach students to correlate the words with the items while testing their knowledge of a recent topic covered in class.

Getting to Know You Activities
Another important aspect of beginning-level ESL classes is making sure the teacher knows the students, and that the students know each other. Using different getting to know you activities, students will be able to practice their English language skills while learning more about their classmates. One such activity is Partner Pastimes. For this activity, teachers first explain what the word pastime means. Students take turns telling what their pastimes are, and the teacher writes these examples on the board. Students use questions such as who, what, where, when, why and how to interview a partner about his pastime. This is one example of a getting to know you activity. In addition these activities can include personal information worksheets and activities where students discuss their family and friends.