Grammar lessons do not have to be boring. These ten activities get students using grammar actively. Most need little or no preparation and work with children, teenagers and adults.
1. Grammar Auction
Give teams a list of sentences, some correct and some wrong, and pretend money. Teams “buy” sentences they think are correct. The team with the most correct sentences wins. Great for reviewing errors.
2. Running Dictation
Stick a short text on the wall. One student runs, reads and remembers a line, then dictates it to a partner who writes. Swap roles. Then highlight the target grammar in the text.
3. Find Someone Who…
Students walk around asking questions such as Have you ever eaten sushi? to find classmates who match each prompt. Perfect for question forms and the present perfect.
4. Sentence Scramble Race
Cut sentences into word cards. Teams race to put them in the right order. Excellent for word order, adverb position and questions.
5. Story Chain
Each student adds one sentence to a story using a target structure, for example past tenses or If…would conditionals.
6. Two Truths and a Lie
Students write three sentences about themselves (for example, with used to); classmates guess which one is false.
7. Grammar Board Game
Make a simple board with prompts on each square. Students roll a dice, move and make a correct sentence to stay on the square.
8. Mime and Guess
One student mimes an action; others guess using the present continuous: You’re brushing your teeth!
9. Error Correction Relay
Write sentences with mistakes on the board. Team members take turns running up to correct one. Use errors from students’ own work, anonymously.
10. Song and Video Gap-Fills
Choose a short clip or song that uses a target structure. Students listen and fill gaps, then discuss why that form was used.
Tips for Success
- Keep games short and focused on one grammar point.
- Model the activity first.
- Finish with a quick review of correct forms.
See also: teaching grammar to ESL learners.
