Looking for engaging tools to energize your ESL lessons? Here’s a hand-picked collection of interactive ESL games, classroom tools, and online resources I use regularly. They’re all free or freemium, and most work well for both in-person and online teaching.
News and Reading Tools
Short News Article Finder
Find brief news articles under a specific word count — great for reading comprehension, vocabulary, and discussion.
→ Short News Article Finder
→ Short Blog Post Finder
Games and Warmers
ESL Wordle
Create your own Wordle-style games — perfect for vocabulary warm-ups.
→ word.rodeo
Scattergories
Play the classic categories game online.
→ eslgames.com version
→ scattergoriesonline.net
Skribbl.io
Pictionary-style drawing game with custom word lists. Great as an end-of-term treat.
→ Skribbl.io
→ Game Gal’s word lists
→ Funny word lists
Custom Hangman
Create hangman games with your own vocab — a quick and fun filler.
→ hangmanwords.com
Random Street View
Drop students in a random place on Earth and have them describe and guess where they are.
→ randomstreetview.com
→ Geoguessr (advanced)
Sporcle Quizzes
Online quiz heaven. These are fun and useful for class:
→ Text & Chat Abbreviations
→ Top 100 English Words
→ UK vs US English
Semantris
Word association games powered by Google AI. Great for vocab fluency.
→ Semantris
Listening and Speaking Tools
PlayPhrase.me
Enter a phrase and hear it spoken in movie/TV clips. Great for intonation and natural speech.
→ playphrase.me
Disposable Chat
Create a simple, no-login chatroom for pair tasks like customer service simulations.
→ disposablechat.com
Teaching Tools and Utilities
Wheel Randomizer
Pick students, categories, or vocab at random.
→ wheelofnames.com
Quizlet
Create flashcards and games for vocabulary practice.
→ quizlet.com
MindMeister
Build simple online mind maps for brainstorming and vocab organisation.
→ mindmeister.com
Crossword Labs
Make your own online crosswords — perfect for reviewing verbs or topics.
→ crosswordlabs.com
Storytelling and Creative Activities
Mad Libs (Mad Takes)
Gapped text games for grammar fun. Just send the link and let them play.
→ Mad Takes
→ How to Wash your Face
→ Television Ad
→ Greetings, Earthlings
→ A Galaxy Apart
MicroMacro: Crime City
A detective game where students solve crimes on a busy map. Great for directions, present continuous, sequencing, and storytelling.
→ Play the demo
→ Where’s Wally (style reference)
→ Wimmelbuchs
ESL Video-Based Activities
ESL Games Video Resources
Activities and ideas for using short video clips in class.
→ eslgames.com/teaching-with-video
Want to suggest a tool?
Have a favourite ESL site or resource that’s missing here? Let me know — I’m always happy to expand this list.