How to Use Gimkit for ESL Listening and Speaking Games

Most teachers use Gimkit for reading-based quizzes. Type a question, students read it, pick an answer. But Gimkit has modes that work surprisingly well for ESL listening and speaking practice -- you just have to set them up differently than you'd expect.

Here's how I've been using it with my adult ESL classes in Denver.

Gimkit for Listening Practice

Gimkit doesn't have built-in audio. But here's the workaround that's been gold for my classes: I create question sets where the "question" is a description students hear me read aloud, and they select the correct answer on their screens.

For example, I'll create a set about giving directions. The question text says "Listen to the teacher." I read: "Go straight for two blocks, then turn left at the pharmacy." The four answer choices are different maps or written directions. Students listen and choose.

It's a manual approach, but it keeps the game mechanics intact -- students still earn currency, compete, and stay motivated -- while adding a listening component that the platform doesn't natively support.

Gimkit for Speaking Practice

This one requires a format shift. Instead of playing Gimkit individually, I pair students up and run it as a team activity.

One student sees the question on their device. Instead of answering silently, they have to describe the question or read it aloud to their partner, who then helps figure out the answer. The student with the device types it in. Next question, they switch roles.

My B1 students loved this. It forced them to read English aloud, negotiate meaning ("No, it says 'have been,' not 'has been'"), and practice explaining grammar rules to each other. The game format kept it from feeling like a speaking drill.

Best Game Modes for ESL

Not every Gimkit mode works equally well for language learning:

• Classic -- Best for the paired speaking activity. Self-paced, no rush, students can discuss before answering.
• The Floor is Lava -- Good for listening warm-ups. Quick rounds keep energy high. Students need to process fast.
• Trust No One -- Excellent for advanced ESL classes. It's basically Among Us meets trivia. Students discuss, accuse, and defend themselves -- all in English.

"Trust No One" is the standout for speaking. Students have to convince others they're not the imposter, which requires persuasion, explanation, and real-time English production under pressure. My advanced class in Denver played it for 20 minutes and nobody wanted to stop.

Creating Content That Works for Listening/Speaking

Standard vocabulary questions ("What does 'enormous' mean?") are fine for reading practice but don't create speaking opportunities. Instead, write questions that require explanation:

• "Which sentence uses 'since' correctly?" -- Partners have to discuss why
• "What's the difference between these two sentences?" -- Forces comparison
• "Which response is most appropriate?" -- Practices pragmatic English

Use ChalkLab to generate these kinds of higher-order questions quickly. Regular vocab questions are easy to write, but comparison and error-correction questions take longer to craft by hand. AI handles the heavy lifting. For other game platform options, check out my comparison of Wordwall, Kahoot, and Gimkit.