25 Best Speaking Activities for ESL Classrooms: Get Your Students Talking

The goal of ESL class is getting students to speak. These activities make speaking necessary, fun, and low-pressure.

Warm-Up Activities

1. Weekend Chat

Pairs discuss their weekends.

2. Two Truths and a Lie

Share three statements—others guess the lie.

3. Would You Rather

Quick choices with explanations.

Pair and Group Activities

4. Information Gap

Student A and B have different info—must speak to complete task.

5. Find Someone Who

Mingle to find classmates matching criteria.

6. Role-Play

Scenarios with assigned roles.

Discussion Activities

7. Stand and Defend

Move to agree/disagree sides, then debate.

8. Pyramid Discussion

Individual to pairs to groups—must agree each round.

Presentation Activities

9. Mini Presentations

2-minute presentations on any topic.

10. Story Chain

Each student adds one sentence to a story.

Games

11. Taboo

Describe without forbidden words.

12. Just a Minute

Speak for 60 seconds without hesitation.

13. Alibi

Two suspects create matching alibis.

Tips

• Minimize teacher talk time
• Use pairs and groups
• Create information gaps
• Don't over-correct during activities