Interactive Game – “What’s the Word?” (ESL Game)

 

Guess the word, one letter at a time! 

This interactive online game is a fun and simple way for students to practice vocabulary. The game works like a digital version of Hangman: learners guess letters to complete a hidden word related to a category (animals, colors, jobs, food, etc.).

Each time they guess a letter, it appears in the word — and if they’re wrong, they lose a heart. It’s exciting, visual, and perfect for solo or group play.

Link: https://www.gamestolearnenglish.com/what-word/

How to use it in class:

1. Project the game on the whiteboard or let students play on tablets/laptops.

2. Choose a category related to your unit (e.g., “clothes”).

3. Play as a whole class: let students take turns guessing letters.

4. For extra challenge: don’t show the category and let them guess it by the first few letters.

Extension:

• After the game, ask students to write 3–5 sentences using the discovered words.

• Use those words in a short speaking activity or drawing task.

Why it’s useful:

This game boosts spelling, vocabulary recall, and letter recognition, while also making learning fun and competitive.

🎉 Bonus idea: cºreate a team challenge where groups compete to guess the word in the fewest tries.