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Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to infuse creativity and fun into their language lessons. Whether you're working with kids or teens, incorporating Valentine's Day-themed activities into your ESL curriculum can make learning English enjoyable and memorable. In this article, we'll explore a variety of interactive and engaging ESL Valentine’s Day activities and games suitable for different age groups.
Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Bingo
- Create bingo cards with Valentine's Day-related vocabulary words such as love, heart, cupid, flowers, chocolate, etc.
- Call out definitions or use simple sentences in English related to the words, and have students mark the corresponding word on their cards.
- This game not only reinforces vocabulary but also enhances listening skills.
ESL Valentine’s Day Videos
We're ALL about using videos in our ESL classroom, but there are a few things we do to get the most use out of them. In the case of Valentine's Day, there are a ton of good ones on YouTube, particularly related to the history of Valentine’s Day and related vocabulary.
Valentine’s Day Story Cubes
- Create story cubes with Valentine’s Day-themed images (hearts, roses, cupid, etc.).
- Students roll the cubes and use the images to create a cohesive and imaginative story in English. This activity promotes storytelling and verbal expression.
A to Z Alphabet Game
However, if you are teaching students about this well-known holiday for the first time, you might think about using it as a vocabulary review exercise at the end of class. If your students are already fairly familiar with Valentine's Day vocabulary, then you could use this activity as a quick warmer activity to activate their prior knowledge.
The way it works is that students have to think of as many words (one per letter) as possible related to a certain theme. In this case, it’d be Valentine’s Day. The team with the most words at the end of the allotted time is the winner.
Password Vocabulary Activity
This vocabulary review game works really well for Valentine's Day.
How to play:
- First, divide the students into two teams.
- Then, have the first team send a member to the front, and you reveal a secret word to the other team members.
- They then have to describe the word to the person, who has to guess what it is.
It is a challenging and entertaining game that is great for a party day activity and also has some educational value!
ESL Concentration Memory Game
Try this entertaining memory game with your students.
You can create sets of cards (beginners can use an image and then the word, while more experienced students can use the word and definition). Students can cut out the cards and arrange them in groups of four, face down, so that the game is about them finding the matching pairs.
Flyswatter ESL Game
If you want to have some fun with Valentine’s words, then you’ll need to consider using flyswatter. The way it works is that you write a bunch of words randomly on the board. For example cupid, love, chocolate, date, roses, etc.
Then, divide the class into two teams and one student from each team comes to the front of the class. Each of them takes a flyswatter, and then you can give hints about one of the words. The first student to slap that word gets a point for their team, and the game continues on until everyone has had a chance to play. I usually erase the word and add a new one in its place.
Decorate Your Classroom
- Foster a festive atmosphere by organizing a classroom decoration activity.
- Provide materials for students to create Valentine’s Day cards, banners, or decorations with English messages. This collaborative project encourages teamwork and language use.
Valentine’s Day Pictionary
- Compile a list of Valentine’s Day-related words and phrases.
- Have students draw these words on the board or on paper while their classmates guess the vocabulary in English. This game promotes vocabulary recall and communication skills.
Love Song Karaoke
- Introduce popular love songs in English and encourage students to sing along.
- This activity not only exposes students to authentic English pronunciation but also allows them to have fun while practicing their listening and speaking skills.
Incorporating ESL Valentine’s Day activities and games into your lessons not only adds a touch of fun and festivity but also provides valuable language learning opportunities.
By integrating these creative and interactive activities, educators can inspire a love for the English language while celebrating the spirit of Valentine’s Day with their students.
Celebrate Valentine's Day together with All Right!💜
