English as a Second language (ESL) students have the challenge of mastering a new language as they learn. Understanding and communicating in a foreign language can make it difficult for even a very bright student to perform well and can make students frustrated. ESL games can engage students and make it easier for them to learn

People Guess
This game can be modified so that students can use verbal clues to guess just about anyone. In the beginning of class, have students introduce themselves and teach them basic description words. Then think of a child in the room. Lower-level students can be given a list of descriptions and pictures, if needed. The class can ask "yes" or "no" questions to narrow down the child you have selected. This game can be modified to choose famous people they are learning about as well. Children can also be paired. One person can wear a name tag on his back indicating the famous person he is, and he must ask his partner "yes" or "no" questions to figure out the name of the person on his back. This is a nice way to reinforce learning of famous people in history.

Story Picture Play
When reading to ESL children, consider games that will reinforce their understanding. Use big books and point to each word as it is read. Give children white boards and have them draw items that reinforce word meanings. For example, if you read about a red ball, ask students to find something red in the room and draw it on their boards. Encourage students to point to pictures that show what is happening in the book or ask them to draw their own picture about the story. Call students up to the book and ask them to find items in the pictures.

Picture Bingo
Give students Bingo cards with pictures on them. As you read words, students have to cover the picture that corresponds to the word. The first student to cover a row or card wins. The winner can call the next Bingo game to enforce reading.

Guess the Object
Teach students basic adjectives and make certain that they understand them. Words can include "short, "long," "round" and other descriptive words. Then pair children, blindfold one child and give her an object to hold. She must describe the item to her partner using as many descriptive words as possible. Based on what the items feel like, she can ask her partner questions and try to identify the item. After the item is guessed, the partners exchange the blindfold and play again.

Listening Play
Teach prepositions or action words. Then give students the opportunity to show what they have learned by responding to directions. Ask students to run in place, put their feet on a desk, stand in a corner or perform other activities.