ESL Classroom Brain Teasers
Brain Teasers are a fantastic way of engaging students and can work well in the classroom. Brain teasers are puzzles where your students have to think to find a solution to the problem. They require students to often think in unconventional ways and as such can be a fun activity for everyone in the class, not just the best students.
Start/end your lesson with a Brain Teaser. Have students read a brain teaser and try and think of a solution to the problem. After a few minutes, have students discuss their possible solutions.
Display a Brain Teaser and have students work in pairs or groups to discuss their solutions to the problem. After, have the different pairs/groups explain their ideas.
Show your students a Brain Teaser in between activities to give students a short ‘active time’ break between activities and help refocus.
Brain teasers are a great way to use modals of speculation (It could be…, I think it might be… and It may be that…) with your students.
Find more games and activities on our YouTube Channel
Ways to use Brain Teasers in the classroom
As a Warmer/Cooler
Start/end your lesson with a Brain Teaser. Have students read a brain teaser and try and think of a solution to the problem. After a few minutes, have students discuss their possible solutions.
As a conversation starter
Display a Brain Teaser and have students work in pairs or groups to discuss their solutions to the problem. After, have the different pairs/groups explain their ideas.
Between activities
Show your students a Brain Teaser in between activities to give students a short ‘active time’ break between activities and help refocus.
Use to practice grammar
Brain teasers are a great way to use modals of speculation (It could be…, I think it might be… and It may be that…) with your students.
More Online ESL Games
Discover more of ESL Kids Games’ online activities .
ESL Odd One Out – an online game that is a great way to practice vocabulary and speaking with young learners. This activity is great to help students practice for the Cambridge Movers exam.
ESL Vocabulary Fortunes – An online game for teens and adults that is a great way to practice vocabulary on a large number of topics.
ESL Bomb Game – Bomb is a simple scoring system that adds excitement to any game.
ESL Hangman – Hangman is a simple way to practice spelling and vocabulary recall with your students.
Describe the Photo – A great way to practice speaking about photos for B1 (PET).
ESL Play Your Cards Right – A fun higher or lower game.
ESL Countdown – A great game to practice vocabulary and spelling.
ESL Writing Prompt Generator – A fun way to practice writing with young learners and even teens.
ESL Odd One Out – an online game that is a great way to practice vocabulary and speaking with young learners. This activity is great to help students practice for the Cambridge Movers exam.
ESL Vocabulary Fortunes – An online game for teens and adults that is a great way to practice vocabulary on a large number of topics.
ESL Bomb Game – Bomb is a simple scoring system that adds excitement to any game.
ESL Hangman – Hangman is a simple way to practice spelling and vocabulary recall with your students.
Describe the Photo – A great way to practice speaking about photos for B1 (PET).
ESL Play Your Cards Right – A fun higher or lower game.
ESL Countdown – A great game to practice vocabulary and spelling.
ESL Writing Prompt Generator – A fun way to practice writing with young learners and even teens.
Find more games and activities on our YouTube Channel