Fun ways to learn English

Learning a new language should always be something you want to do so making it fun is always a good idea. Here, we talk about a number of fun ways to learn English.

Board games

Board games are fun as they are social, stimulating and mentally engaging. Here are a few ideas:

Preposition board game – a game that helps people learn prepositions by moving around a board and creating sentences.

Banagrams – is a word game where players use lettered tiles to create a word grid. It’s a fast-paced game that can be played with 2–6 players.

Plurals board game – is a game that helps players learn how to form the plural of words. Players roll a dice, move along the board, and then say or write the plural of the word they land on.

Bingo ESL board game – this is a variation of the classic bingo game used in English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, where instead of calling out numbers, the teacher calls out vocabulary words, and students mark off corresponding words on their bingo cards, aiming to be the first to complete a row and shout “Bingo!” – essentially using the game to practice and reinforce new vocabulary in a fun way.

Word games

Word games are fun as they provide a mentally stimulating challenge by requiring players to think critically, solve puzzles using language, and often discover creative solutions. Here are a few ideas:

Scrabble – a board-and-tile game in which two to four players compete in forming words with lettered tiles on a 225-square board; words spelled out by letters on the tiles interlock like words in a crossword puzzle. Players draw seven tiles from a pool at the start and replenish their supply after each turn.

Taboo – is a word-guessing game where players give clues to their team without using certain words. It can be played as a board game or used as a teaching activity.

Heads Up – is a lot like word charades, where participants must guess which word the other player(s) are describing. The words pop up on the phone and each player gets 60 seconds to guess as many words as possible based on the clues given to them by other participants.

Acting games

Acting games provide a natural, engaging context to practise speaking, listening, and understanding language. This allows you to embody characters, interact with others, and express yourself creatively. You can do this while taking on different roles and situations which can help you grasp nuances of the language in a real-life manner. This can also boost confidence and encourage participation, especially for shy learners.

Charades – a game in which players guess a word or phrase from a written or acted clue given for each syllable and for the whole item

Reflection – face a partner and try to understand their perspective.

Ten second objects – use your body to form the shape of an object in ten seconds.

Improvising in pairs – work together to create a scene.

Guessing games

Guessing games provide a low-pressure environment to practise speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills while engaging in a playful and interactive activity. This can boost motivation and make learning more enjoyable. These types of games also encourage descriptive language use to effectively convey clues and guess the answer. Helping to expand vocabulary and improve communication abilities.

Twenty questions – is a guessing game where one player thinks of a person, place, or thing. Other players take turns asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions to try and figure our what it is. The goal is to correctly identify the answer within those 20 questions.

Pictionary – is a word-guessing game where players take turns drawing pictures to represent words or phrases. The other players on their team try to guess what the drawing mean.

Apps and Online Games

Technology can make learning English exciting and accessible anywhere. Many apps and websites have gamified learning, turning study into a daily habit that feels more like fun than work.

Duolingo – Offers quick, interactive lessons for vocabulary and grammar.

Memrise – Uses videos of native speakers and spaced repetition to help words stick.

Wordshake or Spelling Bee games – Help with speed and vocabulary under pressure.

Music and Songs

Listening to music and singing along can be a powerful way to absorb new vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar patterns without even realising it. Songs often use everyday language, idioms, and expressions that you might not find in textbooks. You can:

Listen and fill in the gaps – Find the lyrics to your favourite English songs and remove some of the words. Try to listen and fill in the missing words.

Sing along – It helps with rhythm and pronunciation, and it’s just plain fun!

Analyse the lyrics – Discuss the meaning behind the song, look up difficult words, and reflect on the message.

Cooking in English

Cooking is a surprisingly good way to practise English. Try reading and following recipes written in English. You’ll learn new vocabulary, practice instructions and sequencing, and enjoy a tasty reward when you’re done!

You can even watch cooking videos in English, and repeat what the chef says. It’s a tasty way to improve listening and comprehension skills.

Conversation groups

Conversation groups can be a great way to socialise while practising your English. The reason why it’s a fun way to improve your English is that you get to meet others who are in a similar situation to you. This way you can relate to each other and perhaps get some ideas about the culture or how to search for a job.

We have a couple of groups!

We have a weekly group (every Friday) in London and a monthly group (every second Saturday) in Canterbury, Kent too.

Language exchange

A language exchange is quite similar to a conversation group although it is a bit more focused on an exchange as it says. The idea is that someone helps you with the language you would like to improve (English) and you can offer your own language to help someone. This works very well if you speak a language that a good number of people would like to learn. As you focus on teaching as well it makes you think about your own language and how it is formed. This surprisingly helps with learning your target language as by knowing the grammar forms and names they are given it helps you to be clearer in your mind about what you’re trying to learn or improve.

Final Thoughts

Learning English doesn’t have to mean sitting in a classroom with textbooks. It can be playful, creative, and even delicious! Whether you’re acting out a scene, singing your favourite song, or cooking a new dish, there are endless ways to make English part of your everyday life.

The more you enjoy the process, the more likely you are to keep going – and that’s the key to making real progress. Try a few of these fun methods and find the ones that work best for you. Happy learning!