Although it’s certainly a rewarding experience, learning a new language can be a challenging endeavour. After all, a lot goes into mastering a language, from memorizing vocabulary to properly pronouncing sounds. Not only do you have to work on your speaking skills, but also your reading, writing, and listening skills, too. It takes a lot of brainpower, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be all work and no play!
And that’s where language learning games come in. These engaging language games encourage you to practice your skills in a stress-free way. No matter what language you’re learning, games make the journey to fluency more fun and exciting! Board games, apps, and group activities also help you practice your skills more efficiently between private language lessons. These language acquisition games are so much fun that you’ll hardly notice that you are studying and learning along the way.
For memorizing those vocabulary words and mastering your grammar, here is a list of the top 10 language learning games available. Ditch your language textbooks and study materials for the day, and have some fun with these interactive language learning games!
Top 10 Language Learning Games
Language Learning Games to Play on Your Phone
1. Languages By Lyrics
- Cost: Free, with a Pro Version available for $9.99
- Student Level: Beginner to advanced
- Requirements: OS X 10.11 or later
You’ve probably heard that a lot of people learn a new language simply by listening to the radio and learning the lyrics to songs. Use this language learning tip and turn to a lyric-focused app for practice. After all, memorizing phrases in your target language is easier with the help of a little rhyme and rhythm. With this fun app, you get to select songs in the language of your choice, see the lyrics translated, and learn to sing along. Just don’t be surprised if you get these songs stuck in your head all day! The Pro Version of the app comes with more advanced exercises.
2. Star Languages
- Cost: Free
- Student Level: Beginner to advanced
- Requirements: Windows 10, OS X 10.8 or later
For more comprehensive practice, this app allows you to choose from a variety of learning games such as spelling tests, crosswords, and hangman. Each game tests a different skill, so you can apply your knowledge about spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, and more. With this language game online, challenge your brain, and you will be one step closer to fluency in no time.
3. Vocabulary Games
- Cost: Free
- Student Level: Beginner
- Requirements: Works best on Chrome web browser
These vocabulary games are another great way to boost your memorization skills. Choose from several games including Letter Blocks, Unscramble, and Slang Game. You can play on a computer at home, a tablet, or a mobile phone. Because these are language games online, you can learn wherever and whenever! Practice on the metro, play a round during your lunch break, or log on while you’re unwinding before bed.
SEE ALSO: 30 Incredibly Effective Tips and Tricks to Learn a New Language
4. MindSnacks
- Cost: Free for one lesson, with 50 lessons available for $4.99
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: iOS 6.0 or later
With its addictive quests and challenges, the MindSnacks app helps you practice vocabulary, grammar skills, basic verb conjugation, and spelling. This game is available in multiple languages and will keep you motivated as you learn.
4. MindSnacks
- Cost: Free for one lesson, with 50 lessons available for $4.99
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: iOS 6.0 or later
With its addictive quests and challenges, the MindSnacks app helps you practice vocabulary, grammar skills, basic verb conjugation, and spelling. This game is available in multiple languages and will keep you motivated as you learn. Playing this language learning game in combination with taking online language lessons will have you well on the path toward fluency.
5. Lingo Arcade
- Cost: Free for one level, with more than 150 levels available for $0.99
- Student Level: Beginner or intermediate
- Requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
If you’re a visual learner, this app is perfect for you. Lingo Arcade will help you with word identification and sentence structure using over 3,000 visual aids. The app is currently available in Spanish, French, German, and English.
6. Drops
- Cost: Free, with optional in-app purchases
- Student Level: Beginner
- Requirements: iOS 9.0 or later
How much can you learn in five minutes? This exciting language game is definitely one you’ll want to try. With this app, you get the chance to test your vocabulary knowledge by matching words and swiping as you learn. As you increase your speed and accuracy, the game will “drop” more new vocabulary words. Race the clock, and advance your language skills! The more you know, the further you’ll get.
Fun Board Games for Language Learning
7. Kloo
- Cost: Retails for around $16
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: Kloo deck of cards and 2 or more players
Practice how to build sentences with these unique color-coded cards. To play the game, you’ll match cards with different words until you create a grammatically correct sentence. Each card correctly matched is worth one point.
8. Scrabble
- Cost: Retails for around $18
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: Scrabble board game and 2 or more players
Scrabble is a fantastic way to practice your spelling and vocabulary skills. Have a friend join you for this fun game where small, lettered tiles are placed onto a board to form new words. Scrabble is available in multiple different languages.
Fun Board Games for Language Learning
7. Kloo
- Cost: Retails for around $16
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: Kloo deck of cards and 2 or more players
You don’t need Internet access to play a language learning game, as there are plenty of hands-on, physical language games available, such as Kloo. To play the game, you’ll match color-coded cards with different words until you create a grammatically correct sentence. Each card correctly matched is worth one point. Grab a friend and take on this language game together.
8. Scrabble
- Cost: Retails for around $18
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: Scrabble board game and 2 or more players
This tried-and-true board game is an excellent language learning tool. Scrabble is a fantastic way to practice your spelling and vocabulary skills. Have a friend join you for this fun game where small, lettered tiles are placed onto a board to form new words. What’s the longest, most complex vocabulary word you can construct? Scrabble is available in multiple different languages.
Language Learning Games for Groups
9. Bingo
- Cost: $5-$10
- Student Level: Beginner
- Requirements: Bingo cards, game chips or coins, index cards, and vocabulary words
Why learn alone when you can learn together? Round up your friends and try your hand at this fan-favorite using vocab words. To make your own Bingo game in the language of your choice, create a set of vocabulary-themed Bingo cards in a 6×6 pattern. In each box, include the vocabulary words you want to practice. Next, write the vocabulary words on a set of smaller cards. Choose a player to call out the words. The person who completes their card first wins the game. Now you just have to figure out how to say “bingo” in the language of your choice!
10. Jeopardy
- Cost: $5-$10
- Student Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Requirements: Poster board with 4-5 columns, markers, and buzzers or bells
To play Jeopardy with a group of others who are learning a language, choose 4-5 categories you’re familiar with such as food, people, places, and animals. Each of these categories will be its own column on a board with five rows. Fill in the boxes with the answers to a set of predetermined questions. Remember, one player will need to be the host.
It’s impossible to master a language overnight, but you can slowly start building your knowledge of your target language with dedication and plenty of practice. To make learning a bit more fun, try a language game online while you’re commuting to work, and then gather your friends for a group language board game over the weekend.
Regardless of whether you prefer a group or solo game, online or physical game, each of these interactive games will help you improve your language comprehension skills. Now just imagine what a combination of all of them could do for you! For the best outcome, play these language learning games in between language classes to review and reinforce all you’re learning in a fun way. Play on!
Post Author: Barbara S.Barbara S. has been teaching Spanish since 2011 and is a native speaker from Argentina. Her teaching style is flexible, cooperative, and understanding. Learn more about Barbara here!
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Jessica Dais