The Last Letter First Letter ESL game is a really simple warmer or vocabulary practice technique which is often incorporated into other games.
2+
10-15 mins
Setup
There are two versions of this game. In the first, students make a chain of words together as a class. In the second, students race to make a chain of words, either individually or in teams.
If you are playing the first version, arrange your students in a circle (or in rows).
If you are playing the second version, each student/team will need a piece of paper.
Game
Version 1:
- Give the students a vocabulary category e.g. food.
- The first student says any word in that vocabulary category.
- The next student (to the left or who the previous student throws the ball to) has to say another word in the category. However that word must begin with the last letter of the previous word.
- The students continue in this manner, making a chain of words, e.g. tomato – orange – egg – grapes.
- (Optional) If a student takes too long they have to do a forfeit (e.g. putting an arm behind their back, standing on one leg, or something from our Challenge Generator).
Version 2:
- Give the students a vocabulary category e.g. food.
- The students/teams have to write down a chain of words in that category. Each word must begin with the last letter of the previous word, e.g. tomato – orange – egg – grapes.
- Give them one or two minutes and award points for each word made in the chain. Or, have them shout ‘Stop!’ when they reach five words. That team receives five points while the other teams receive a point for each word they have at that time.
- Repeat for other vocabulary categories. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Target Language
The Last Letter First Letter ESL game is great warmer or vocabulary practice technique for beginner and intermediate students, including kids. Just be aware that some vocabulary categories are more difficult to form a chain with than others! More advanced students may even start to try and give the next student a hard letter in the first version.
Some potential vocabulary categories are food, animals, jobs, sports and hobbies, clothes, and places in the city.
This word-chain technique is often incorporated into other games like I Went To The Shop and Board Race.
Got a picture or video of this activity in action? How about snapping one next time you use it? We'd love to showcase your submissions- find out more here.
