Whats That Number

Setup

Draw or project a 3×3 grid on the board (or a large piece of paper). Fill the grid with nine numbers connected to your life, for example your age, your house number, your height, your classroom number, your shoe size, the number of siblings you have, the date/year you were born etc.

Explain that the numbers are connected to your life, and model an information question and answer involving one of the numbers (e.g. How old are you? I’m 27 years old). Cross that number off the board.

Elicit more questions from the students in order to cross off more numbers. Explain that the object of the game is to cross off all the numbers on your opponent’s grid.

Activity

1. Students spend a few minutes drawing their own 3×3 grid and filling it with numbers connected to their lives. Suggest some ideas if needed.
2. Students find a partner and take turns asking information questions. If a student uses one of their numbers in their answer, they have to cross off that number on their grid. Check for the correct complete grammar structures (not just Is this your age? etc.!).
3. The student who crosses off all their opponents’ boxes first wins. If some pairs finish before others, ask them to switch partners.

Target Language

The Whats That Number ESL activity is great for practising both information questions and numbers.

It is suitable for both beginner and intermediate students. Although the language is fairly simple, you will be surprised how often it uncovers errors/gaps in knowledge.

For another very similar activity to practise information questions without the focus on numbers, see All About Me.