Introduction

Online meetings have become an integral part of our professional and personal lives. However, they can sometimes lack the engagement and interaction that face-to-face meetings offer. To enhance the experience and keep participants interested, incorporating creative English games into online meetings can be a game-changer. These games not only break the monotony but also help in practicing and improving English language skills. In this article, we will explore a variety of engaging English games suitable for online meetings.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

This classic game is perfect for getting to know participants better while practicing English. Here’s how to play:

  1. Each participant takes turns to share three statements about themselves.
  2. Two of these statements must be true, and one must be a lie.
  3. Other participants must guess which statement is the lie.

Example:

  • Alice: I have traveled to 10 countries. (True)
  • Alice: I can speak six languages. (True)
  • Alice: I once won a national cooking competition. (False)

This game encourages listening skills and can lead to interesting conversations.

2. Charades

Charades are a fun way to practice both English and acting skills. Here’s how to play online:

  1. Designate a participant as the actor.
  2. The actor chooses a word or phrase in English.
  3. Using only body language, the actor must convey the word or phrase to the other participants.
  4. Participants must guess the word or phrase.
  5. The actor gets a point for every correct guess.

Example:

  • The actor chooses the word “squirrel” and tries to act it out without speaking.

This game is great for improving vocabulary and pronunciation.

3. Pictionary

Pictionary is another favorite that combines drawing and English language skills. Here’s how to play online:

  1. Each participant takes turns being the artist.
  2. The artist chooses a word or phrase in English and draws it on a whiteboard or shared document.
  3. Other participants must guess the word or phrase.
  4. The artist gets a point for every correct guess.

Example:

  • The artist draws a picture of a “turtle” and participants try to guess the word.

This game is excellent for enhancing creativity and visualizing new vocabulary.

4. English Trivia

Trivia games are a great way to test participants’ knowledge of English. Here’s how to play:

  1. Create a list of trivia questions related to English vocabulary, grammar, and usage.
  2. Read out each question one by one.
  3. Participants answer the questions, and the correct answers are revealed at the end.

Example:

  • Question: What is the past tense of the verb “to go”?
    • A) Went
    • B) Goe
    • C) Goed

This game helps reinforce grammar and vocabulary knowledge.

5. Role-Playing

Role-playing exercises are a fantastic way to practice English in a simulated real-life scenario. Here’s how to play:

  1. Divide participants into small groups.
  2. Assign each group a scenario, such as a job interview, customer service interaction, or business meeting.
  3. Participants take on different roles and interact with each other in English.
  4. The group presents their role-play to the rest of the participants for feedback.

Example:

  • A group simulates a job interview where one participant plays the role of the candidate, and another plays the role of the interviewer.

This game improves conversational skills and helps participants become more comfortable speaking in English.

Conclusion

Incorporating creative English games into online meetings can significantly boost engagement and make the experience more enjoyable for all participants. These games not only serve as a fun break from the regular meeting format but also contribute to the development of English language skills. So, the next time you host an online meeting, consider adding a game or two to keep things lively and interactive.