The Best ESL Reading Games and Activities.
Unlock the joy of reading in your ESL classroom with our engaging selection of reading games! Are you a teacher searching for innovative ways to enhance reading skills among your ESL students?
This article gives you 17 reading games, each designed to boost comprehension, vocabulary, and overall language proficiency.
From creative ‘Comic Strip Creation’ to the strategic ‘Vocabulary Word Hunt’, we’ve curated a variety of games suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Whether you’re teaching young beginners or advanced adult learners, these reading activities are perfect for making your ESL lessons more dynamic and effective.
Just before we jump into these 17 ESL Reading Games and Activities we have the four skills covered on the site. Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening.
You can access the pages from the links below or click on the image to download them all in one PDF file for $2.99 or the price of a coffee (a good one we admit!)
- The Best ESL Listening Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Speaking Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Writing Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Reading Games and Activities.
17 of the Best ESL Reading Games and Activities.
We have given full breakdown for these games in each section including resources, numbers and time to play to help you speed up and make sure if these games suit your class and students.
1. Word Bingo
Overview: Word Bingo is a classic game adapted for ESL reading practice. It helps students recognize and recall new vocabulary in a fun, competitive setting.
- Setup: Create bingo cards with a selection of words you’re teaching. These can be themed or random.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Flexible, suitable for small to large classes.
- Resources Needed: Bingo cards and markers or pens for each student.
Description of Word Bingo ESL Reading Game:
Distribute the bingo cards to the students.
Call out the words, and students mark them on their cards as they hear them.
The first student to complete a row or pattern and shout “Bingo!” wins.
This game can be adapted to various vocabulary sets and is excellent for reinforcing new words.
2. Find the Error
Overview:
Find the Error is an engaging game that sharpens students’ editing and grammar skills. They read texts to find and correct deliberate mistakes.
- Setup: Prepare short texts or sentences with intentional grammatical or spelling errors.
- Time to Play: 10-15 minutes.
- Number of Players: Suitable for individuals, pairs, or small groups.
- Resources Needed: Texts with errors and writing utensils.
Description of Find the Error ESL Reading Game:
Hand out the texts with errors to the students.
Students read through the texts and circle or correct the mistakes they find.
Review the corrections as a class, discussing why they are errors and what the correct versions should be.
This activity helps improve grammar, spelling, and critical reading skills.
3. Reading Scavenger Hunt
Overview:
Reading Scavenger Hunt makes reading an adventurous activity. Students find pieces of a story or informational text scattered around the classroom and assemble them in order.
- Setup: Print out different parts of a story or text and hide them around the classroom.
- Time to Play: 20-30 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be done individually or in teams.
- Resources Needed: Printed text pieces and envelopes or paper clips.
Description of Reading Scavenger Hunt ESL Reading Game:
- Students search for the hidden pieces of text, reading each one as they find it.
- The challenge is to arrange the pieces in the correct order to form the complete story or text.
- This game is excellent for comprehension and sequencing skills, as well as for adding a physical element to the reading process.
4. Speed Reading Races
Overview:
Speed Reading Races challenge students to read a text as quickly and accurately as possible, improving their reading fluency and speed.
- Setup: Prepare short, level-appropriate reading passages for each student.
- Time to Play: 10-15 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be done individually or in small groups.
- Resources Needed: Reading passages, a timer.
Description of Speed Reading Races ESL Reading Game:
Distribute the reading passages to students.
Set a timer, and students begin reading the passage as quickly as they can.
After the time is up, discuss what they read to check for comprehension.
This game can be competitive, with students trying to beat their own best time or that of their classmates.
5. Reading Comprehension Cube
Overview:
The Reading Comprehension Cube is an interactive tool to engage students in discussing what they’ve read. Each side of the cube has a different question related to comprehension.
- Setup: Create a large cube with various reading comprehension questions on each side.
- Time to Play: Varies depending on the length of discussion.
- Number of Players: Works well in small groups or whole-class settings.
- Resources Needed: A large cube (can be made from cardboard), questions for each side of the cube.
Description of Reading Comprehension Cube ESL Reading Game:
After a reading activity, students take turns rolling the cube.
The student answers the question facing up when the cube lands.
Questions can include ‘Describe the main character,’ ‘What is the main idea?’ or ‘What do you predict will happen next?’
This game encourages comprehensive discussion and deepens understanding of the text.
You could also use Rory’s Story Cubes for this as well
6. Story Building Relay
Overview:
Story Building Relay fosters creativity and reading comprehension. Students read a sentence and add to an ongoing story, building it piece by piece.
- Setup: Start with a story opening sentence or paragraph.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Suitable for small to large groups.
- Resources Needed: Paper and pen for writing, initial story starter.
Description of Story Building Relay ESL Reading Game:
The first student reads the opening sentence and adds another sentence to it.
The next student reads what’s been written so far and adds their own sentence, and so on.
This continues until every student has contributed to the story.
The game not only encourages reading comprehension but also creativity and coherence in storytelling.
7. Picture Story Match
Overview:
Picture Story Match is a game that combines reading comprehension with visual interpretation. Students match sentences or paragraphs to corresponding pictures, enhancing their understanding of descriptive language.
- Setup: Prepare a set of pictures and corresponding text descriptions.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be played individually, in pairs, or small groups.
- Resources Needed: Pictures and their matching text descriptions.
Description of Picture Story Match ESL Reading Game:
Distribute the pictures and texts to the students.
Students read the descriptions and match them to the correct pictures.
This activity helps students connect textual information with visual cues, reinforcing comprehension and vocabulary related to descriptions.
8. Synonym and Antonym Search
Overview:
Synonym and Antonym Search is a vocabulary-focused game where students identify synonyms and antonyms within a given text. It’s excellent for building vocabulary and understanding word relationships.
- Setup: Select a text that contains a good range of vocabulary, including words that have clear synonyms and antonyms.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Flexible, suitable for individuals or small groups.
- Resources Needed: Texts with a rich vocabulary.
Description of Synonym and Antonym Search ESL Reading Game:
Hand out the texts to the students.
Students read through the text and underline or list synonyms and antonyms they find.
Review the words as a class, discussing the nuances in meaning and context.
This game enhances vocabulary skills and deepens students’ understanding of word usage.
9. Reading Jigsaw
Overview:
Reading Jigsaw is a collaborative reading game that promotes comprehension and teamwork. The text is divided into sections, and students work together to piece together the full story or article.
- Setup: Choose a text and divide it into several parts, one for each group member.
- Time to Play: 20-30 minutes.
- Number of Players: Best played in small groups.
- Resources Needed: A text divided into sections.
Description of Reading Jigsaw ESL Reading Game:
Each student in a group reads a different part of the text.
After reading, they share the information from their section with the group.
The group works together to piece together the full story or content of the text.
This activity encourages active listening, comprehension, and collaboration, as students must rely on each other to understand the entire text.
10. Fill in the Blanks
Overview:
Fill in the Blanks is a classic reading comprehension game. Students complete a text with missing words or phrases, enhancing their understanding of context and vocabulary.
- Setup: Prepare texts with certain words or phrases removed.
- Time to Play: 10-15 minutes.
- Number of Players: Flexible; can be done individually or in pairs.
- Resources Needed: Texts with missing words, and a list of words/phrases for students to use.
Description of Fill in the Blanks ESL Reading Game:
Distribute the texts with blanks to students.
Students read the text and use the provided list of words or their own knowledge to fill in the blanks.
This activity helps in understanding context and reinforces vocabulary usage within sentences.
11. Reading Theater
Overview:
Reading Theater involves students performing a script after reading it, focusing on expression and intonation. It’s a dynamic way to practice reading fluency and comprehension.
- Setup: Select an age-appropriate script or dialogue for the students.
- Time to Play: Varies, but generally 20-30 minutes for preparation and performance.
- Number of Players: Suitable for small groups or the whole class divided into groups.
- Resources Needed: Scripts or dialogues, space for performance.
Description of Reading Theater ESL Reading Game:
Divide students into groups and assign each group a script.
Students read and rehearse their scripts, focusing on expression, intonation, and character portrayal.
Perform the scripts in front of the class. This encourages not just reading comprehension but also boosts confidence and speaking skills.
12. Comic Strip Creation
Overview:
Comic Strip Creation allows students to create comic strips based on a reading passage. This game encourages creativity and demonstrates comprehension in a visual format.
- Setup: Choose a short reading passage. Provide paper, pens, and coloring materials.
- Time to Play: 30-40 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be done individually or in small groups.
- Resources Needed: Reading passage, paper, drawing and coloring materials.
Description of Comic Strip Creation ESL Reading Game:
After reading the passage, students create a comic strip that illustrates the story or main points.
Encourage them to include key dialogue, characters, and plot elements.
This activity allows students to engage with the text creatively and reinforces their understanding through visual storytelling.
13. Vocabulary Word Hunt
Overview:
Vocabulary Word Hunt is a game that combines reading comprehension with vocabulary exploration. Students find and use new vocabulary words in a reading passage.
- Setup: Select a reading passage that contains a good range of new vocabulary words.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Suitable for individuals or small groups.
- Resources Needed: Reading passages, highlighters or pens.
Description of Vocabulary Word Hunt ESL Reading Game:
Hand out the reading passages to the students.
As they read, students identify and highlight new vocabulary words.
They then use dictionaries or context clues to understand the meanings of these words.
This game can also involve using the new words in sentences or a short writing task to reinforce understanding.
14. Sequencing Strips
Overview:
Sequencing Strips is a reading comprehension game where students rearrange sentence strips to form a coherent story or description.
- Setup: Prepare strips of paper with sentences from a story or descriptive text, mixed up in random order.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be played individually or in small groups.
- Resources Needed: Sentence strips, envelopes or bags to hold them.
Description of Sequencing Strips ESL Reading Game:
Distribute the mixed-up sentence strips to students.
Students read the sentences and work to arrange them in a logical order to reconstruct the story or description.
This activity helps students understand narrative structure and improves their ability to identify sequence and coherence in texts.
15. Read and Draw
Overview:
Read and Draw is a creative game that tests comprehension through visualization. Students read a description and then draw it to demonstrate their understanding.
- Setup: Prepare descriptive texts, focusing on clear imagery and details.
- Time to Play: 20-30 minutes.
- Number of Players: Works well with individuals or small groups.
- Resources Needed: Descriptive texts, paper, and drawing materials.
Description of Read and Draw ESL Reading Game:
Students read the descriptive text provided.
Based on their understanding, they draw a picture that represents the description in the text.
This can be followed by a discussion or sharing session, where students explain their drawings and how they relate to the text.
It’s a great way to engage visual learners and reinforce reading comprehension through creative expression.
16. Guess the Title
Overview:
Guess the Title is a comprehension-focused game where students read a passage and then either guess its original title or create a new, fitting one. This activity encourages deeper engagement with the text and critical thinking.
- Setup: Choose interesting reading passages and remove their titles.
- Time to Play: 10-15 minutes.
- Number of Players: Can be played individually or in small groups.
- Resources Needed: Reading passages without titles.
Description of Guess the Title ESL Reading Game:
Provide students with the title-less passages.
After reading, they try to guess the original title based on the content or come up with a title that they think suits the passage.
This can lead to a discussion about why they chose that title, encouraging them to think about the main themes and ideas in the reading.
17. Whisper Reading Chain
Overview:
Whisper Reading Chain is an engaging game that improves reading fluency and listening skills. Students whisper-read a passage to each other, one by one, around the classroom.
- Setup: Select a suitable reading passage that can be easily divided into parts.
- Time to Play: 15-20 minutes.
- Number of Players: Best with medium to large groups.
- Resources Needed: A reading passage, divided into sections if necessary.
Description of Whisper Reading Chain ESL Reading Game:
Students sit in a circle or in a line.
The first student starts by whisper-reading the first part of the passage to the next student.
The chain continues with each student whisper-reading their part to the next, ensuring they listen carefully to receive the information.
This game not only helps with reading fluency but also with listening comprehension, as students must pay close attention to what is being whispered to them.
Don’t Forget you can access the pages for all our ESL games and activities from the links below or click on the image to download them all in one PDF file for $2.99 or the price of a coffee (a good coffee we admit!)
- The Best ESL Listening Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Speaking Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Writing Games and Activities.
- The Best ESL Reading Games and Activities.
Conclusion
These 17 ESL reading games offer a creative and effective approach to improving reading skills in a language learning environment.
By integrating games like ‘Sequencing Strips’ and ‘Whisper Reading Chain’, teachers can foster a more interactive and enjoyable reading experience in their classrooms.
Not only do these activities enhance students’ comprehension and vocabulary, but they also encourage a deeper engagement with texts in a playful yet educational manner.
Remember, teaching ESL reading doesn’t have to be boring– with these games, you can ignite a passion for reading in your students and watch their language abilities flourish.
Further ESL Reading Game options
- https://bridge.edu/tefl/blog/esl-reading-comprehension-activities/
- https://www.eslkidstuff.com/esl-kids-games/reading-games.htm
- https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-reading-comprehension-activities/
Making English Fun!
I have been a teacher of English for over 15 years, in that time i made hundreds and thousands of resources and learnt so much i think its worth sharing. Hopefully to help teachers and parents around the world.
