Melissa Simmons

Fun No-Prep and Low-Prep EAL Games to Make Learning Memorable

Audience focus: All

Abstract

Fun is a vital yet often overlooked component of effective teaching and learning, especially when educators face time constraints, curriculum demands, or test preparation pressures. This interactive session provides EAL teachers with practical, no-prep and low-prep games designed to make lessons more engaging, memorable, and impactful.
Participants will explore a variety of classroom-tested games for all four language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—with a particular emphasis on vocabulary and grammar. The workshop will highlight the research-backed benefits of using games in language learning, such as fostering emotional engagement and reinforcing language through repetition.
Attendees will not only learn how to implement these games but will also have the opportunity to play them, offer feedback, and collaborate by sharing their own favorite activities. Teachers will leave with a toolbox of ready-to-use ideas that require minimal preparation yet maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.
This session aims to reenergize EAL teaching by reminding educators that fun and meaningful learning can go hand in hand.

Biography

Melissa is an EAL teacher from Minnesota, U.S.A. with 16 years of global experience. After earning her M.A. in TESL, she explored and taught in the U.S., Turkey, and Luxembourg. Her TESL passions include AI, learner autonomy, and CLIL. When not teaching, you can find Melissa traveling, trying new foods, reading, and fishing.

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