Instructors who teach English as a second language (ESL) have many options when it comes to programs to use in their classrooms. One of those options is Genki English, a popular system in Japan for ESL classrooms. With available lesson plans, flashcards, songs and even downloadable software, Genki English offers a plethora of teaching aids and materials, especially games, to help out any ESL instructor.

Stopwatch
This game can be used in classes of any age or any size. First, arrange the class in a circle. They can be sitting in chairs or on the floor. The game begins with the teacher asking one student a question and then starting the stopwatch. It can be anything, like "What's your name?" or "What is your favorite food?" The student answers the question and then asks the same question of the student on his or her right. This is repeated until everyone has asked and answered the question. Then stop the stopwatch. Now do the activity again, trying to beat your class's time. Repeat as often as desired, trying to increase the speed each time.

Tower
Split the class into at least two teams. Have the teams choose an order for themselves. Once the order has been established, have the first person from each team step forward. Ask them all one question. It can be related to new vocabulary, or a review question. Once the students answer it, they should run to the front of the room where a set of blocks is waiting for them. They get five seconds to build their tower as high as they can before it falls down. The team with the tallest tower wins.

Quick Draw
Divide the class into two teams. Have one student from each group come to the front of the class and stand back to back. Give each student a flashcard with a picture on it. Have the students close their eyes. When the teacher says "Go!" each student turns around as fast as they can and tries to say the correct word for the other student's flashcard first. Whoever says it first gets a point for his or her team. The team with the most points wins.

Fun Comparatives
This game requires the use of Genki English cards. Print out a set of cards (they can be any set). Give each group of students a set of cards. Say "Go!" and see which group can make a sentence the fastest out of the cards they are given.

To make the game a little more difficult, you could have the students use each card only one time, so in subsequent rounds they cannot use cards they have previously used.