Today we will find out 30 games to learn English. Learn the world's main language in a fun way.

One of the best ways to learn English is to play games, which will make studying fun and exciting.

You won't even realize all the learning you are acquiring in the process!

In this article, we'll start with 30 great English learning games that you can play online, in person, and with your friends.

Content

Online Word Games to Practice English

1. Wordshake
2. Knowledge
3. 4 Photos 1 Word
4. Visual Thesaurus Spelling Bee
5. Word Whomp
6. Freerice
7. Human Brain Cloud
8. Scrabble Online
9. Word Games by Learn English Today
10. 7 Words
11. ESL Crossword
12. Influential
13. Drops English
14. Taboo
15. Word Connection
16. Alphabear Online Grammar and Trivia Games to Practice English
17. Lovatts Free Online Trivia
18. Adaptive Spelling Quiz by SpellQuiz
19. 20 Questions
20. Prove it!
21. Duolingo
22. Bubbles
23. Magnetic Poetry
24. Fun in English by Studycat Board Games for Learning English
25. Boggle
26. Bananagrams
27. Rewordable Interactive ESL Games for Group Learning
28. 20 Questions (Classic Version)
29. Fishbowl
30. Telephone Why Learn English Through Games?
31. And One More Thing…

Online Word Games to Practice English

You games to learn English online can be hit or miss (they can be great or terrible). No problem – we found the best word games to practice your English vocabulary. You can even practice with online video games or download games!

1. Wordshake Game to Learn English Level: All levels

• Key Features: Word scramble game to improve your English vocabulary

If you like action-packed ESL games that make you work against the clock, Wordshake is perfect for you.

This game gives you 16 random letters of the alphabet and three minutes. During this time, you should think of as many English words as you can using the letters you have. Every time you form a new word, you earn points.

Since there are no complicated rules with the Wordshake, is a good vocabulary building game for both beginners and advanced students.

2. Knoword – Games to Learn English Level: Intermediate/Advanced

• Main features: High-speed English vocabulary practice

O Knowledge has to be one of the most fun, enjoyable and entertaining games the internet has to offer.

The rules are very simple: you have one minute to read as many definitions as you can and write the correct answer.

Every time you give a correct answer you gain an extra second or two, and for every four correct answers you receive a hint. You can skip as many words as you want, so be sure to press “Esc” or click “Skip” whenever you don't know a word.

3. 4 Pics 1 Word – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Pictorial game app to practice English vocabulary on your cell phone

This game features four images that have something in common, and you have to guess what it is.

Sometimes the answer is obvious, but other times you'll have to think hard and use hints to get help. Whether you are a beginner English learner or a fluent speaker, 4 Pics 1 Word It will certainly activate your brain and make you think in English.

Plus, you can always create your own flashcards for the words you don't know. Who said fun and learning can't go together?

4. Visual Thesaurus Spelling Bee – Games to Learn English Level: Advanced

• Main features: Spelling game for advanced English learners

Listen to a word and try to spell it correctly. No surprises here.

However, some of the words you will hear are so difficult to spell that you will start to feel like the bee is laughing at you and your wrong spellings.

The game comes with statistics, a free visual treasury preview for the words you spell correctly, and all word definitions broken down by part of speech.

Even though the Visual Thesaurus isn't free, the game is, and it's packed with great features to help you learn English.

5. Word Whomp – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Cute game that tests your spelling and memorization skills

Another word scramble game like Wordshake, but cuter, Word Whomp allows you to practice your English writing and spelling skills.

In this game, you are given six letters and you need to determine how many words can be spelled with these letters. You have two and a half minutes to think about each word. If you guess too many incorrect words, the game will be over.

You'll quickly practice thinking about English vocabulary words – a skill that will be very useful in real-life English conversations.

6. Freerice – Games to Learn English Level: Intermediate/Advanced

• Main features: Allows you to practice English and help those in need at the same time

Freerice is another quiz style game that helps you improve your vocabulary skills.

Instead of answering word problems, you are given a vocabulary word and then have to find its closest synonym among four different words. The game starts off easy, but with 60 levels in total, it gets much more difficult as you progress.

What really makes Freerice different from other games is that the company will donate 10 grains of rice to hungry families for every question you answer correctly.

So the more you play, the more you are helping those in need.

7. Human Brain Cloud – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Word association game that offers free English practice

Described as “a massively multiplayer word association game”, the Human Brain Cloud It's as simple as it is complex.

You are given random words, and your goal is to type words, expressions, or even phrases that you associate with the words you receive. There are no right or wrong answers. The program simply accepts your answers and adds them to the association database.

If you click on a word, you will see a “cloud” with your word in the middle connected to other words that people associate it with. That's where the fun begins because you can use this feature to learn vocabulary.

8. Scrabble Online – Games to Learn English Level: Intermediate/Advanced

• Main features: Board game to improve your English vocabulary that you can also play online

Originally designed as a board game, you can now play Online Scrabble with a friend, against another virtual player or against the computer.

You choose seven letters in the form of tiles and use them to form words. Each square has a letter and a number written on it that represents the points you receive for using that letter.

All the tiles that touch each other have to form a real English word, and you have to build words using the letters of other words that have already been placed.

9. Word Games by Learn English Today – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: A huge collection of word games in one place

You came here looking for a play on words. How about 135?

Learn English Today offers 135 games of free words to help you improve your English vocabulary while having fun.

Divided into four levels and five categories (crosswords, scrambled sentences, quizzes, missing words and matching exercises), each of these games will help you improve your English, no matter your level.

It would be impossible to mention all the topics included in the games, but I can tell you my three favorites to play: Phrasal Verbs, Sightseeing, Preposition Quiz 1.

10. 7 Words – Games to Learn English Level: Advanced

• Main features: The most challenging word game for English learners

This simple name hides one of the most difficult, but also fun and addictive, games I've ever played in my life.

You are given seven definitions and 18 letter tiles, and your goal is to click on the tiles to create words that match the definitions.

Each definition is followed by a number of gray squares that correspond to the number of tiles you need to use to form that word. Along with three hints, that's all you'll have to complete the 777 puzzles included in the game.

When you guess a word, its definition is crossed out and the corresponding tiles disappear.

11. ESL Crossword Puzzles – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Best Online ESL Crossword Puzzles for English Learners

Crossword puzzles are a good way to test your reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.

However, the crossword puzzles you find in the Sunday newspaper are often too difficult for English learners to complete.

Fortunately, with ESL Crossword Puzzles, you can challenge yourself with word problems that have been created especially for English language learners.

The site is comprehensive and has a variety of crossword puzzles, difficulties, and themes to choose from, making it great for students of all skill levels. Simply choose your level from the menu at the top of the home page linked above.

12. Influent – Games to Learn English Level: Beginner

• Main features: Game to learn vocabulary of everyday objects

In this game, you explore a modern apartment where everything is clickable. You use a device to scan objects and it tells you the name of that object in English.

It features native audio pronunciations and tests your memory using time-based quizzes. There's also a mini-game where you fly a plane and knock down lots of things.

The game helps you learn the names of objects used in daily life. Beginners can quickly pick up the essential words they will use in most contexts in a fun and effortless way.

13. Drops English Level: Beginner/Intermediate

• Main features: Learn vocabulary by connecting words with images.

This is another game that connects words with their images. The difficulty increases as you play, so once you've learned a word, Drops will include more words to continually challenge your learning.

This is a great way to learn new words because of repetition, plus the app has an easy interface and is relaxing and fun to use.

You can download Drops to an iOS or Android device and play without Wi-Fi.

14. Taboo Level: Beginner/Advanced

• Main features: Classic game that encourages vocabulary creativity

In this game, you are trying to define a specific word in English without using multiple keywords from a list (keywords are usually synonyms or obvious descriptors). It really tests your understanding of the word and encourages creativity as you try to explain it without using the forbidden words.

This Android game, which can be downloaded (and played offline), is great for practicing English with your friends, as it's all about trying to help people guess the word.

15. Word Connect Level: Beginner/Intermediate

• Main features: Helps you learn to spell correctly

This game offers a collection of letters and challenges you to form the letters into words. You must spell as many words as possible with the letters provided. This game is definitely challenging and makes you think a lot about the English you have learned.

Plus, since you have unlimited attempts, this game can teach you new words as you discover the correct answers.

16. Alphabear Level: Beginner/Intermediate

• Main features: Fun design and great for practicing spelling

In this game, you are also trying to form words from the given letters. This game gives you multiple chances to use each letter, and once you form a word, you are given more letters to use. This type of game encourages you to use as much vocabulary as possible.

You get more points for longer words, and as you play, you can collect “Alphabears,” which will give you different combinations of points. The bears are cute and add an extra reward for doing well in this game.

There are different styles of play, including a timed version, which will help you think quickly and form words as quickly as possible.

You can play on your phone or download an enhanced version of the game to your computer via Steam.

Online Grammar and Trivia Games to Practice English

Games to learn English of words are not the only ones that allow you to practice your English! There are a wide variety of trivia, grammar, and other types of games to choose from:

17. Lovatts Free Online Trivia – Games to Learn English Level: Intermediate/Advanced

• Main features: Trivia game for advanced English learners

If you're the kind of person who's overflowing with unrelated facts, you'll love Lovatts Trivia. Let me tell you, some of the questions are for trivia professionals only!

This game is perfect for practicing your English reading skills under pressure. You're playing against the clock, and the longer it takes you to answer a question, the fewer points you receive.

If you need help, you can always ask the system to help you. Click on the word “Hint” on the top right side of the gray line, and one of the incorrect answers will be discarded.

18. Adaptive Spelling Quiz by SpellQuiz – Games to Learn English Level: Beginner/Intermediate

• Main features: Fun and cute English sayings

Imagine being able to do dictation online, but the website is absolutely cute and well designed. The audio is crystal clear (very clear, easy to understand).

Every sentence is checked and corrected immediately. You can click on any word to learn more about it. The program takes your mistakes into account and gives you increasingly difficult sentences as you progress and improve.

There is also the possibility to check your word and error statistics. Register and get access to all this and many other tests, quizzes and much more for free.

19. 20 Questions – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Digital version of the classic question and answer game

This is a digital version of the classic 20 Questions game. First, think of an unfamiliar animal, plant, mineral, concept, or word.

Once you choose your word, the system will start asking questions that you will have to answer with words like “yes”, “no”, “unknown”, “sometimes”, “maybe” and more.

Each question, along with its answer, will appear on the screen as you play. At the end of question number 20, the system will tell you what it believes you are thinking.

If you can't guess your word, you win!

20. Proof It! – Games to Learn English Level: Intermediate/Advanced

• Main features: The best game to practice English revision

Do you think you have what it takes to be a reviewer? 10 sentences are provided with one error in each. Your mission is to find and fix all 10 errors.

I recommend this game for advanced English students who are taking the final steps towards fluency or are preparing for an exam.

The errors you may find in these sentences range from grammar (for example, using “do” instead of “does”) and spelling errors (using “break” instead of “brake”) to punctuation errors (a comma can be missing) and capitalization errors (using “alice” instead of “Alice”).

21. Duolingo Level: All Levels

• Main features: Gamified learning experience makes learning fun

Duolingo is a great way to learn lots of words quickly. It uses a combination of pictures and words to help you understand the new language, and as you progress through the levels, it repeats the words you've learned to ensure you still know what they mean.

While I've found Duolingo to be better for memorizing new words, it can also be a great way to improve grammar. Duolingo often places vocabulary words in common phrases and expressions so you can start to get a feel for English grammar.

You can download the Duolingo app on your phone, and you can also download individual lessons to play offline with a Duolingo Plus account.

22. Bubbles – Games to Learn English Level: Beginner

• Main features: Great for improving your sentence construction skills

This is a simple online puzzle game where you need to make a sentence that correctly describes a picture within a time limit.

You are shown a bunch of word balloons and need to connect them to create a sentence. As you keep making the correct sentences in each level, the number of word balloons keeps decreasing.

The game offers different speed options and allows you to choose the vocabulary category. For example, you can play with personal objects, food, animals, sports, professions, nature, colors, letters or body parts.

23. Magnetic Poetry – Games to Learn English Level: All levels

• Main features: Game to practice writing in English without having to write

Originally an actual magnet set, Magnetic Poetry offers five complete kits free online. Use the words you receive to create poems, stories, jokes or anything that comes to mind.

Challenge your friends to a race to see who is the first to use 50 or 100 pieces and create a coherent story. Or try journaling your day using just the set of words you are given. Or write a geeky poem for your online crush.

You can really create anything and everything with Magnetic Poetry, and since the free kits are in English, you'll also practice your vocabulary and writing skills.

24. Fun English by Studycat – Games to Learn English Level: Beginner

• Main features: Games focused on themes of various varieties

Fun English is an interactive game for children, but it is also useful for adults learning English. The games are separated by theme so you can focus on the areas you need help with.

Fun English uses lots of pictures to explain what the word is and help you remember it as you play. Once downloaded, you can play the full game without internet access.

Board Games to Learn English

Board games offer the opportunity to play with other English learners. This can make learning more motivating and allows you to practice your English conversation skills. Here are the best board games for ESL students!

25. Boggle – Classic Boggle Game Level: All levels

• Main features: Old style word formation game

Boggle is a fun game to play alone or with a group of friends. The objective is to create words by connecting letters on the Boggle board.

First, shake the board and display the jumbled letters. Set the timer and then start writing all the English words you can create from the letters on the board.

In the traditional game, words can only be formed by connecting letters that are close to each other. But for even more practice, you can bend the rules and use any letter on the board to make your English words.

26. Bananagrams – Bananagrams: Multi-Award Winning Word Game Level: All levels

• Main features: Group game similar to a crossword puzzle

Bananagrams is another game that lets you practice spelling English words, but this time, you're competing against several people.

Each player receives a certain number of letter tiles. Start using these letters to form connected words. Once you use all your letters, shout “peel!” All players must now take another piece of the mountain.

To learn a specific type of vocabulary, you might also consider establishing a theme, such as food or animals, and just forming words that fit that theme.

27. Rewordable – Rewordable Card Game: The Unique, Fragmented Word Game Level: All levels

• Main features: Card game that helps you improve your spelling

Rewordable is a card game that helps you learn to recognize and spell English words.

There are 120 cards in the deck, each containing a letter or combination of letters. You use the cards in your hand to spell words. During the game, you can steal or build based on other players' words.

This game may seem challenging, but after playing a few rounds you will start to understand how to play. This can be an accelerated way to improve your fluency and expand your English vocabulary.

Interactive ESL Games for Group Learning

In-person group games, like English party games, are another opportunity to play with others. This gives you another chance to improve your English conversation skills!

28. 20 Questions (Classic Version) Level: All levels

• Main features: Group game to practice asking questions in English

This is a classic game for any skill level and the original in-person version of the 20 Questions digital game.

To play this game, a player thinks of a word. Then, the other players take turns asking “yes” or “no” questions to determine which word they are thinking of.

To make this simpler, you can limit words to specific categories, like colors or countries. This is a fun party game that helps you practice English vocabulary as well as English question formation.

29. Fishbowl – Aquarium Game Level: All levels

• Main features: Fun party game that combines multiple games into one

This game allows you to practice your English writing, reading and speaking skills. You need a large group to play this game. To start, everyone writes three simple words in English. Then place each word in a fishbowl.

The game consists of three rounds. During the first round, players take turns drawing a word from the fishbowl and describing it to their teammates, who must guess the word. After one minute, the round ends.

For the next round, use mimes (silent gestures) to get your teammates to guess the words. For the final round, you can use just one word to help your teammates guess.

30. Cordless Phone Level: Beginner

• Main features: Fun group game to practice listening comprehension

To play wireless telephone, gather a group of enthusiastic language learners. Everyone sits quietly in a line. The first person thinks of an English word or phrase and whispers it to the person next to them.

Then, that person whispers the word to the next person. This continues until the word reaches the last person. The last person repeats the word and everyone determines how much it has changed since the beginning of the line.

This game allows you to practice listening and speaking in English. It's another fun game to play at a language learning party.

Why learn English through games?

Having fun while learning English is a proven method that really works. Here's why:

• Games aren't just for kids. Research shows that adults are more likely to remember information they learn through a fun process.
• Games teach a variety of language skills. As you saw in our list, you can use games to practice writing, speaking and listening to English.
• Games allow you to learn outside of a traditional classroom environment. Learning is not restricted to the classroom.
• If you can't sign up for a formal English class, try using games to improve your fluency at home. Group games encourage conversation and build confidence.

If you can, try to play group games. This will give you the opportunity to practice your English conversation skills in a fun, low-stress environment.

You can play English games anywhere. Language learning games can be played online, at home, in coffee shops, or at a party. The opportunities for learning English are endless.

Conclusion

In addition to games, another fun way to learn English is by watching videos. It can be very effective to learn vocabulary or grammar from the previously mentioned games and add an element of listening and viewing to your language learning routine through videos.

O FluentU has a large library of authentic content, like movie snippets, commercials, vlog posts, and more.

Each video comes with interactive subtitles, meaning you can search for any word with just one click.

You also have the option to use it as a dictionary by typing a word into the search bar. FluentU and seeing how it is used in context examples in print and video, plus a memorable definition with photo.

Even if you're already taking an English course, games are a fun and effective supplement to your lessons.

Next time you want to sit down and play a game, try turning it into an English speaking activity. This way, you will be practicing English without even feeling like you are working on it.

Stay curious, my friends, and as always, happy learning (and playing)!