Primary school students have an enthusiasm for learning that teachers can capitalize on by playing educational English as a second language (ESL) games in the classroom. Dividing students into teams creates the thrill of competition and ESL primary students garner even more enthusiasm as they try to beat their classmates. Once placed into teams, ESL students should choose their own English team names. ESL primary students are creative, so teachers should encourage participatory learning by having them create their own games or try one lead by the teacher.

Pictionary
The game Pictionary by Mattel, offers an irresistible and simple ESL primary game, although you don't need the game itself to use its concept in the classroom. Teachers should review previous lesson plans, choosing vocabulary words suitable for students to draw. Nouns, such as animals and things in the kitchen, are easier to draw for younger students, while ESL students in grades four, five and six might prefer the challenge of drawing verbs.

Preparation for this activity is minimal and completed in 20 minutes or less. The teacher writes a word that the students are sure to know on a piece of paper and puts it in a hat. One student picks a piece of paper and begins to draw the word on the board while the student's teammates guess the answer during a predetermined time limit (two minutes or less works well). Students earn points by guessing the correct answer.

Writing Race
Writing races present a simple and competitive ESL primary game that requires little to no preparation from the teacher. Ideally, teams consist of three to eight students. Younger students can all spell the same word, such as "notebook" or "chicken," but the students should erase the word after they write it. Older primary students can play by topic such as "Items in the classroom," creating a list at the end of the game.

Simon Says
Simon Says, a timeless classic, is the perfect ESL primary game to review and practice parts of the body and simple verbs. Requiring no preparation on the part of the teacher, this game can be a lesson plan for the day or a time-filler at the end of class. The first time playing the game, it is easiest if the teacher leads the class. Subsequent rounds can be lead by the students. Rather than using the phrase, "Simon Says," the students can use their own names when taking their turn.