Approximately a quarter of all words in the English language are adjectives, according to Oxford University Press. Consequently, language teachers need to give ESL students a wide range of meaningful adjective activities. These activities will allow students to practice and internalize the position, form and meaning of adjectives.

Adjective and Noun Phrases
This activity is suitable for language learners from a beginner to elementary language level. The aim of the activity is for students to practice the correct position of adjectives.

Type 20 different simple adjective and noun phrases. For example, “a big dog,” “a small house,” “a lovely baby.” Print sets of these phrases and cut them into slips. Put students into groups of three or four. Give each group of students a set of slips face-down on the table. Students take turns picking up a slip and reading the noun. The other students in the group try to guess the adjective by saying an entire phrase. Insist on students saying the entire phrase rather than just the adjective.

What's She Like?
This activity is suitable for language students from elementary to intermediate levels. The aim of the activity is for students to practice the meaning of adjectives.

Give each student two slips of paper with the name of a classmate on each one. Students must then write a sentence using three or more adjectives describing this person without using the person's name. At least one adjective should focus on what the classmate looks like, and at least one adjective should be about her personality. For example, “He is tall, kind and handsome,” “She is hardworking and very thin.” Check students' work as they are writing. Students take turns reading their sentences while the class tries to guess who they are referring to.

Inserting Adjectives
This activity is suitable for language students from elementary to upper intermediate levels. The aim of the activity is for students to practice the position and meaning of adjectives.

Select a text of between 100 and 300 words appropriate to the language level of your students. Read the text to the students but stop at each noun. Students then have to suggest suitable adjectives to go with the noun. You can put students into groups and give scores for the most imaginative adjectives to make it more competitive.

Who Is It?
This activity is suitable for language students from lower intermediate to upper intermediate levels. The aim of the activity is for students to practice forming comparative adjectives.

Divide students into pairs. Give each pair a slip of paper with the name of a classmate on it. Each pair writes three sentences comparing this classmate to other people in the class. For example, “She is taller than Juan,” “She is a better student than Miguel,” “She is often much quieter than Jose.” Each pair takes it in turn to read their sentences while the class tries to guess who they are referring to.