In the Numbers Board Slap ESL game, students slap the correct number on the board when it is called out.
2+
5-10 mins
Setup
Choose a set of numbers appropriate to your level. This may include similar-sounding numbers like fifteen and fifty, as well as large numbers. With intermediate students, try including decimals and fractions too.
Write/project those numbers on the board, in random positions. If you have an Internet connection and a projector, the easiest way to do this is to use our online Board Slap game.
In class, divide the students into two teams. You can also play without teams and point-scoring if this is more appropriate.
Game
- Each team sends one student to the board. These students stand a few steps away from the board, with a flyswatter. With young students, they could also just use their hands or even a ruler if you don’t have a flyswatter available.
- Call out a number displayed on the board. The two students have to slap that number with their flyswatter as fast as they can.
- The student who hits the correct number first wins a point for their team.
- Repeat for future points. If your students are able to, let the rest of the class take turns saying the numbers for practice.
- Every three points, switch the students playing. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Target Language
The Numbers Board Slap ESL game is a version of Board Slap specifically designed for practising numbers with beginner or low intermediate students. For a version to practise the alphabet, see Alphabet Board Slap.
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