Relaygamesin the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom offer a welcome change toeveryday lessons. ESL relay games are ideal for a large class because everyone takes a turn and noone is left out. Outgoing students as well as shy students get an opportunity to learn and have fun.The fast pace of an ESL relay game fosters fast thinking on the part of the learner. The following relaygames can be performed in the classroom.

Basic ESL Relay Game Rules
ESL relay games are suitable for English learners of all levels and all ages. When possible, move allthe desks and chairs to the sides of the room so the students can form lines. Dividing the class intolarge groups of eight or more students will produce the best results. Once the students are in teams,allow them to choose a team name in English and write it on the board to keep score. Place a line of tape on the floor and have the ESL students form a line behind it. Clearly explain that only one studentis to cross the line at a time and that that student must hand off the piece of chalk (or white boardmarker) to the next student before the next student is permitted to cross the line. Always demonstratethe game by having an abbreviated practice round to ensure that your ESL students understand thegame.

Topics
Topic relays are an amusing way for students to reviewfor anupcoming vocabulary test. Choose atopic pertinent to a recent or past lesson. Common topics include:animals, things in the kitchen, fruitand vegetables, parts of the body and outdoor activities. Write the topic on the board and start the ESLrelay game. Each student writes a word pertaining to the topic on the board. The team that finishes firstis the winner.

Alphabet
The alphabet is a convenient tool for an ESL relay game. The first student writes a word that beginswith "A," the second student writes a word that begins with "B" and so on. For more advanced students,place the letters of the alphabet sequentially at the end of the word. The first student writes a word thatends in "A," the second student writes a word that ends in "B" and so on through the alphabet. The firstteam that writes a word for each letter of the alphabet is the winner.

Chain Spelling
In this ESL relay game, the first student writes a word of his choosing on the board and the secondstudent writesa word that begins with the last letter of the first word, the third student writes a wordbeginning with the last letter of the second word, and so on. Each student takes a turn, and the firstteam to finish is the winner.