Great Ideas for Learning Centers in the ESL Class

What are learning centers?

Typically, teachers place learning centers within a dedicated section of the classroom. They contain irresistible learning opportunities for students to engage independently and in a self-led way. There are usually three distinct types: enrichment, skill, and interest and explanatory centers.

Continue reading for five of our favorite learning centers, which are bound to help your students develop their English language skills.

1.       Vocabulary wheels

Let’s face it, children enjoy fiddling with things, so anything with a spinny wheel is bound to appeal. Vocabulary wheels are perfect for the aforementioned children who can be actively engaged in their learning as well as moving something legitimately. This Autumn-themed vocabulary wheel is excellent for practicing essential words associated with the season. They should simply spin the wheel and then name that item. This could be done in pairs, with one child spinning and saying the noun, with the other checking it is correct. Alternatively, using the list, students could check off the items they have spun. 

2.    Alphabet Battleships

Who doesn’t enjoy a game of battleships? This alphabet battleships game is perfect for practicing letters of the alphabet and corresponding words in a paired game. Not only that, but students must use their knowledge of numbers, too, when giving grid references to try to uncover the hidden items on their player’s board. As well as being thoroughly engaging for your ESL learners, this is a no-prep activity, meaning you can literally print and go. Of course, confidence in this product means it will be a popular one, so we would advise laminating it as well, to increase its lifespan!

3.       Word Slides Colors

A word slide consists of two pieces of paper. One contains colors, and the other clip art of pictures linked to those colors. For example, the color yellow would relate to cheese, a banana and a lemon. Children can play together in pairs or small groups, taking turns to name the items. There is also a worksheet included as a follow-up for students to write down the words they have said.

4.       Bingo

Bingo is a fantastic game to play, and it can cover any topic you are teaching about in your ESL lessons. This Christmas version of the game is perfect for the lead up to the holiday season. Children get notoriously excitable before the festive fun, so why not add to it instead of attempting to dull those feelings down? There are several ways of playing it. This could work in your learning center area for a group of up to six (there are six different cards contained). Choose one student to be the bingo caller who must pull out a picture at random and say the word of the item. Children should then cover the corresponding item on their bingo card, if they have it, or use a dabber to stamp it. Alternatively, instead of calling out the name of the object, you could provide students with a cloze sentence. This is when you miss out a word, which would be the item they might have on their bingo cards, and they have to work out which would fit into that context correctly. For example,...................... delivers presents on Christmas Eve. Those students with the picture of Santa would cover it up.

5.       Memory Game

Now, who doesn’t like a good old-fashioned game of memory or Pelmanism? As with bingo, it can cover a wide range of ESL topics. This winter memory game support students to practice their English vocab linked to the wintry months. Students could take it in turns to reveal two cards, attempting to match a pair. As they do so, encourage them to use the target language. For more advanced learners, insist that they include their word within a sentence.

Feed the ..Winter parts of speech is a great way to review and consolidate grammar parts of speech with your kids in the ESL classes. This is a language center as well a review or quick assessment.

Children take turns picking a card. They have to identify and name the pictures that comes up. If they are right, they can feed the correct mat: nouns, adjectives, verbs.