5 Easy but Fun Games to Boost Listening Skills in Young ESL Learners

Ever noticed how young learners light up when learning feels like play? For ESL students, listening skills are a gateway to mastering English—helping them catch words, understand instructions, and even improve their pronunciation.

But c'mon, sitting still and doing listening drills sounds like a nightmare! And I'm sure you feel the same way, right?

Today, we’re sharing five delightful games to boost ESL listening skills in young learners, perfect for educators and parents alike. Let’s dive into the joy of learning through play!

5 Easy-setup, super Fun Games to Boost Listening Skills

These games are simple to set up, packed with laughter, and designed to help kids tune their ears to English. Each one comes with tips to adapt for different ages or skill levels.

Game 1: Simon Says with English Commands

Imagine a room full of kids jumping and clapping—pure magic! This classic game is a hit for practicing action verbs. Just say “Simon says jump” or “Simon says clap,” and they only move if you include “Simon says.” If you say “clap” without it, they stay still—catching the trick is half the fun!

• Setup: No materials needed—just prepare simple commands like “touch your nose” or “spin around.”

• How to Play: Lead the game, mixing in commands with and without “Simon says.” Watch their faces light up as they listen closely!

• Benefits: Boosts listening for specific instructions and builds vocabulary like “jump” or “sit.”

• Adaptation Tips: Add hand signals for beginners or try complex actions like “wave with both hands” for older kids.

  
  

Game 2: Sound Bingo for ESL

Turn bingo into a sound adventure! This game helps kids distinguish similar English sounds, like “bat” versus “pat.”

• Setup: Make bingo cards with a theme. You can draw them or download and print free templates like the one below.

• Adaptation Tips: For advanced learners, you can make good use of the call card and say the description instead of saying the actual word.

  
  

Game 3: Listen and Draw

This creative game turns listening into art! Kids draw based on your instructions, building comprehension skills.

• Setup: Grab paper and crayons, and prepare simple directions like “Draw a big sun” or “Add a red flower.”

• How to Play: Give step-by-step instructions (e.g., “Draw a house with two windows”), pausing to let them catch up. Compare drawings at the end for giggles!

• Benefits: Improves understanding of descriptive language and sequencing.

• Adaptation Tips: Keep it basic for young kids (e.g., “Draw a circle”) or add details like “Draw a cat with a hat” for older ones.

  
  

Game 4: Story Chain

Watch imaginations soar with this teamwork tale! Kids build a story by adding sentences, listening to keep it flowing.

• Setup: No materials needed—just start with a prompt like “Once upon a time, a bird…”

• How to Play: Each child adds one sentence (e.g., “It flew to a tree”), listening to what came before. Keep going until everyone’s had a turn!

• Benefits: Encourages active listening, boosts creativity, and introduces new words.

• Adaptation Tips: Use picture prompts for beginners or focus on a theme (e.g., animals) to guide vocabulary.

  
  

Game 5: Whisper Circle

A whisper game that’s all about careful listening! It’s like a secret mission around the room.

• Setup: No materials required—choose a simple sentence like “The cat is black.”

• How to Play: Whisper the sentence to the first child, who whispers it to the next, and so on. The last child says it aloud—will it match?

• Benefits: Highlights the importance of clear listening and pronunciation.

• Adaptation Tips: Use short phrases for young kids (e.g., “big dog”) or themed sentences (e.g., “rainy day fun”) for variety.

  
  

Improving Pronunciation on the way!

Listening isn’t just about hearing—it’s the foundation for speaking clearly. When kids catch the right sounds through these games, they’re better equipped to say words like “think” or “ship” with confidence. It’s a beautiful cycle of learning that starts with their ears!

For educators eager to explore this connection further, IPPAcademy’s Advanced Certificate: English Pronunciation Instructor offers warm, practical guidance to enhance listening and speaking skills in ESL settings.

Ready to dive deeper?

Ready to dive deeper into ESL strategies? Explore IPPAcademy’s Certificate courses for more tools to inspire confident speakers.

Do you have a favorite ESL listening game? Share it in the comments—we’d LOVE to learn from you too!