The Hot Seat

ESL/EFL Game Profile
Name of Game:
The Hot Seat
Target Students:
Middle School
Target Students:
High School
Target Students:
University
Target Students:
Adults
Duration:
45 minutes
Number of Students:
Any
English Skills:
Listening
English Skills:
Speaking
English Skills:
Vocabulary
Objective:
Communicate words without saying them
Instructions
  1. Break class into 4 or less teams
  2. Place a 'hot seat' in front of the class and facing away from the board
  3. Each team selects a leader
  4. One team is up at a time and their leader sits in the hot seat
  5. Write ten words on the board so the leader can't see them
  6. Number the words 1-10
  7. Each team member is assigned a word or words on the board
  8. Some team members may have more than one word
  9. Team
    members take turns communicating their word to the leader without
    saying the word with No spelling, writing, or drawing allowed
  10. Team members can say 'pass' if their word is too difficult
  11. Each team has 1 minute to get as many words as possible
  12. The team with the most points at the end wins
Variations
  • Use simple words like animals or days of the week for weaker students
  • Use the word 'pass' as one of the words on the board to challenge strong students
Notes

This game can be challenging to explain so preparing directions in the student's native language can be helpful.

 

A big thanks to Steve for this EFL/ESL game!