Hot Seat Game

The “Hot Seat” game is a fun and interactive way to engage students in learning
English. It allows students to build their vocabulary and encourages competition in
the classroom. They are also able to practice their speaking and listening skills.

I usually employ this game right after students learn new vocabulary. It’s an
excellent way to learn and get moving a bit during the class, as my students are so
energetic.

Time: 15–20 minutes

Age: Any level of learners

Materials: empty chairs and aboard.

Explanation: Split the class into 2 teams, or more if you have a large class.
Teachers will elect one person from each team to sit in the hot seat, facing the
classroom with the board behind them. Then, teachers write a list of words on the
board. One of the team members of the student in the hot seat must help the student
guess the word by describing it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to employ it in your English class:

Step 1: Divide the Class into Teams: You can split your class into different
teams, but two teams work best. However, if you have a large class, you can create
more (make sure that you can handle the whole team).

Step 2: Set Up the ‘Hot Seat’: Teachers place an empty chair (it means the ‘hot
seat’) at the front of the class for each team. Then, one student from each team
comes up to sit in the hot seat, facing their teammates and with their back to the
board.

Step 3: Write a Word on the Board: The teachers write a vocabulary word on the
board. The students in the hot seat should not be able to see this word.

Step 4: Describe the Word: The rest of the team must describe the word to their
teammate in the hot seat using synonyms and definitions. You can also allow
acting or miming as clues.
Step 5: Guess the Word: The student in the hot seat listens to their teammates and
tries to guess the word.

Step 6: Score Points: The first hot seat student to correctly guess the word wins a
point for their team.

Step 7: Rotate Students: After each round, change the students over so that a new
member from each team is in the hot seat.

When the game’s over, teachers can give a prize to the winning team. It can be
candy or a teddy bear.

Tips: According to different levels, sometimes teachers can give students the
words before the class so that they can prepare. (This is a great way to study new
vocabulary.) Or give them all the cards they will talk about before the game and
give them 3 minutes to check out the vocabulary and use the dictionary if
necessary. You can adjust the timing according to your students.