5 Fun Board Games to Learn English with Friends

I'm not a big fan of board games. Let's put it out there! But gathering with friends and family, opening up an aesthetically illustrated box of fun board games, and dealing cards can be fun if you're doing it right. Years ago, board games were considered power outage entertainment or something you do on a rainy day without an internet connection. However, most bars have a weekly board game night today, and even modern offices introduce board game nights for their employees.

Why does this happen? We live in the digital age. It just doesn't make much sense. It turns out that specific characteristics of modern society have contributed to the revival of the board game. The desire for physical interaction, nostalgia, story-driven interactions, and similar factors played a role in the 'resurrection' of board games.

But what compelled me to talk about English board games and their role in English-speaking practice is the storytelling element in such games. I noticed a few games requiring participants to communicate, tell stories, comment, and communicate. This factor makes English board games an excellent way to learn English with friends and family.

How Do Board Games Help You Learn to Speak English?

Board games are a fun and effective way to boost your English speaking skills. When you play English board games, you're not just learning new words—you're also practicing English conversation in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. These games often require players to interact, explain rules, and engage in friendly competition, all of which provide valuable English-speaking practice.

As I said, I'm not a big fan, but the game format encourages you to speak more naturally, making it easier to learn English without feeling like you're studying. That's exactly why I love gamified learning.

One of the best things about using English games to learn is that you can play with friends. You don't have to make it a dedicated learning session (if you don't want to); you can just hang out casually, play games, and watch movies. And friends add an extra layer of motivation.

Now, let's discuss some of the most fun board games you can use to learn English with friends (and this is coming from someone who doesn't like board games):

5 Fun Board Games to Learn English With Friends

I've played all of these English board games, and I can safely say that they're fun both with friends and strangers. So, if you're learning English online with a group of students, you can suggest these games as a method of English speaking practice.

1. "Dixit"

Dixit is one of my favorite games to play. Yes, I know, I said I don't like board games, but this one is special. It centers around communication, description, and storytelling; you can even make a new game out of it.

How to play:

• Find 3-6 players and hand out six cards to each one of them
• The first player (also called a storyteller) will start describing the card they have in mind and put it on the table
• Other players have to choose the cards from their own deck that match the description
• Players vote on the storyteller's prompt
• Correct guesses earn you a point, and you can move your piece further on the score board

Do you want to know how my friends and I use this game as an English conversation practice? We ditch the rules and tell a story one card at a time. It's fun, messy, confusing, and entertaining.

2. "About Me" Board Games

You may have heard about this game (also known as "All About Me" board game). School teachers often use these games to introduce new students or encourage English-speaking practice with foreign groups.

I enjoy playing this game with strangers, especially since it's a conversation starter and breaks the ice perfectly.

How to play:

• Find a suitable "All About Me" board and 2-4 players
• Roll the die and move your game piece that number of squares
• Read what's written in the square you land on
• Share your answer with the group
• The first player to reach the finish line wins

Seems pretty straightforward, right? It's because it is! There are no complicated rules that other English board games may have, no extra characters, no crazy surprise storylines, just you and your team members sharing stories in a relaxed environment.

3. "Trivial Pursuit"

Now, if you want to learn English with friends and test your knowledge of general subjects simultaneously, I recommend playing Trivial Pursuit. I love trivia-style games and find learning new words and facts easier if I make mistakes.

How to play:

• Find 2-6 players (ideally, two if your goal is English-speaking practice)
• Players roll the die to move around the board and try to collect all wedge colors
• Players answer questions, and whoever collects all needed wedges wins

Out of all English board games, this one is the most fun and insightful to play. And you know what? It has various versions. You can buy Star Wars, Harry Potter, Baby Boomers, and other editions to test out your knowledge and English vocabulary in specific subjects.

4. "Do You Remember"

What a nostalgic and emotional name, right?! The game can be such as well. It's a great way to learn English with friends and connect with them on a deeper level.

How to play:

• Find at least two players or suggest the game after dinner
• Each player chooses the card out of the 50 thought-provoking and deep questions
• The cards ask players to recall and tell a memory they shared with friends or experienced alone

This game has no winners, just a deeper connection with your friends and family. It's also a great way for English speaking practice.

5. "Codenames"

The last board game for today is the "Codenames" - a game that can solely depend on your English vocabulary. It's a game where you have to describe an object with certain words without using the object's name. Sounds complicated, right? Especially if you're not a native English speaker. But this game has helped many of my friends and me practice English speaking skills and improve communication.

How to play:

• Find at least 4 players and create opposing teams (red and blue)
• Each team has a spymaster and someone who guesses. The spymaster describes the chosen word, and the other player has to guess
• Whichever team guesses all their tiles (according to the color) wins

You can also play this game online if you want to learn English with friends but don't have a dedicated playfield. Keep in mind that you may get a little bit competitive because there are opposing teams, but it's a pretty fun board game if you're playing just for fun.

Ready to Learn English with Friends and Fun Board Games?

Learning English doesn't have to be complicated or boring. Incorporating fun board games into your routine will help you stay motivated and make steady progress. I, for example, find it easier to learn English if my mind isn't focused on the learning process. Fun and games may seem like a waste of time, but they really aren't.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to fine-tune your skills, English board games can help you practice at your own pace, without pressure. So, gather your friends, choose a game, and discover just how enjoyable English speaking practice can be!