Virtual Class Meeting Games for Language Learners

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Are you running dry on things you can do during your live class sessions with your students? Are you required to host virtual class meetings – or want to, in order to connect with your students? Check out these ideas for virtual class meeting games you can do with your students during synchronous distance learning times to make sure they’re still getting plenty of input!

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Virtual Class Meeting Games: Create Connection, Not Just Curriculum

One of the biggest wins with virtual class meeting games for language learners is the sense of connection they build. In a remote setting, students can easily feel isolated or disengaged, especially if they are still getting used to hearing and using the target language. Games flip that switch. Suddenly, it is not about getting every answer right, it is about laughing with classmates, racing to find a spoon, or trying to guess what someone is drawing with zero art skills. These shared moments build trust, lower the affective filter, and create a safe space where students are more willing to take risks with their language. And that is where the real learning starts. When students feel connected, they show up. And when they show up, they grow.

Virtual Class Meeting Games for Language Learners

Scavenger Hunt – Tell your students to look for X, and the first one to return to their computer and say “I’ve got it!” and show you gets a point! Woohoo!
(Small note – now, more than ever, I’m all about games for the excitement and engagement of the game, not for prizes. Just play! No need to reward the enjoyment and interaction.)
Persona Especial (aka Hot Seat, Star of the Day, Special Person) can still be done virtually. Señora Chase has a great post here! I also think now would be an EXCELLENT time to bring in a special guest!
Bingo, or TicTacToe – You could share a card with them digitally, or students could fill out their own on a scratch piece of paper using your parameters (numbers 1-30, words from our story, etc). You call them, they play!
20 Questions – You know the game! It’s great to teach circumlocution. I would just share your screen to give them some support. Señora Chase (yes, again. I love her!) has a great post on how to play this, with an example of the support slide she gives students!
Two Truths and a Lie – You could come up with them, you could have students submit them to a Google Form ahead of time, or you could call on them in your live class. This is a great option for weekend chat that still works during quarantine!
Pictionary – You draw, they guess. It’s another chance to show off your art skills! You could also have them take turns drawing.
Directed Drawing – this is a great option for some input! Students listen to your description and try to draw the image. This is great because you can totally focus on a chunk of vocab you’ve been working with, or a scene from a story or video you’ve been working with!
Charades – Always a classic. You could be the one acting, or you could have students work in turns!
Digital games – My favorite digital games for the classroom transfer smoothly to distance learning! Here are my favorites:
GimKit
Quizizz
Kahoot (and Blind Kahoot!)
Quizlet Live (they came out with an individuals mode, but honestly I’ve been enjoying the regular teams version!)
Bonus – most of those options could transfer well into a homework assignment if you needed to provide an asynchronous option for students who weren’t able to log in with you! For me, Quizizz wins the easiest to use in both modes category!

The Secret Sauce to Keeping Language Learners Engaged Online

Let’s be real, staring at a screen is not exactly thrilling for most students. That’s where the magic of virtual class meeting games for language learners kicks in. These games are not just time-fillers, they are your golden ticket to creating real interaction, laughter, and learning all at once. When students are actively guessing, reacting, and laughing together, their brains are soaking up language in a way that feels effortless. These activities break through the screen and turn your virtual classroom into a living, breathing space where language is alive. Whether it is charades, digital bingo, or a surprise scavenger hunt, these small moments of joy can transform a basic class meeting into something students actually look forward to. Keep the energy high, keep it unpredictable, and you will keep them coming back ready to participate and learn.