Numbers Activities and Games for ESL

The topic of numbers is one of the foundational aspects of learning English. 

Without knowing numbers in a foreign language, students may struggle to find the correct street or understand the meeting time. 

We use numbers so frequently in our daily lives that mastering this topic becomes essential for learners. 

So, let's explore how to make learning numbers for ESL easy and engaging through games and activities.

This engaging game helps students improve their number recognition, listening skills, and attention to detail.

How to play?

Prepare cards with grids, which you can draw or use pre-made templates. 

Give each student a card and ask them to fill it with numbers from a chosen range (e.g., 1 to 30, though you can select any range).

The teacher announces numbers in random order. 

When students hear a number that appears on their card, they cross it out.

The first student to cross out all the numbers in a single row or column wins the game. 

To signal their win, they shout "Bingo!" 

The winner then reads aloud the numbers they’ve crossed out so that you can verify their accuracy.

This is a maths game that students can play once they are familiar with the key vocabulary.

How to play?

Split the students into teams. 

Present them with simple mathematical problems, such as:

• What is five plus five?
• What is ten minus four?
• What is two multiplied by three?

To make the activity more engaging, you can phrase the problems as part of a story. 

For instance: if you have ten pears and give three to your sister, how many pears do you have left?

The team with the most correct answers wins. 

Adding a timer can make the game more fast-paced and exciting.

This game helps students practise accurate pronunciation and spelling of numbers in English.

How to play?

Divide the students into teams and prepare cards with numbers that are commonly confused. 

Show a card to the first team — for example, the number 14. 

The players must pronounce the number correctly in English and write its spelling accurately.

Then, present a different number to the second team, and continue alternating turns. 

Keep a score sheet to record points for each team that pronounces and spells a number correctly. 

At the end of the game, review all the written answers and tally the scores. 

The team with the most correct answers wins.

In this game, students are divided into teams. 

It helps them develop team spirit through active engagement in the lesson.

How to play?

Prepare cards with numbers and place them face down at the back of the classroom. 

Each player from their team takes turns starting at the opposite end of the room, running to the cards, flipping one over, and saying the number in English. 

If the player pronounces the number correctly, they can take the card and bring it back to their team. 

If the pronunciation is incorrect, the player must return to the starting line without a card. 

The team that collects the most cards by the end of the game is the winner.

Alternatively, you can include cards with simple maths problems, like 3 + 3, requiring the player to calculate the answer and say it correctly.

This game combines physical activity with language practice, making it an engaging and effective activity for your students!

This game is a fantastic way to help students memorise number sequences while building their confidence in using numbers for ESL.

How to play?

Choose a target number — for example, 26. 

Students take turns counting in ascending order. 

On their turn, each student can decide how many numbers to say: one, two, or three.

Example:

The game continues until the chosen target number (e.g., 26) is reached. 

The student who says the final number is out. 

After that, the game restarts with a new round.

This is a simple and fun game designed to help children learn numbers and improve their counting skills.

How to play?

You will need a pair of dice, a game board, and some tokens. 

The first player rolls both dice and adds up the numbers shown (e.g., 5 + 2 = 7). 

He then moves his token forward by the total number of spaces. 

Then players take turns rolling the dice, and the game continues until one of them reaches the finish line.

Review our courses on the Grade University platform and find everything you need for professional growth as a teacher. 

With a variety of online courses available anytime, anywhere, it’s easy to fit learning into your schedule. 

Plus, you can try out free demos to see what the materials are like before getting started.

In conclusion, such an important topic as numbers for ESL should be taught in an engaging and memorable way for students. 

Incorporating games and activities with numbers into lessons helps create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, which in turn promotes effective learning. 

Introduce these exercises into your teaching, and you’ll notice your students becoming increasingly confident in their numeracy and using numbers for ESL effectively.