ESL Basketball brings the fun of the court into the classroom, offering an exhilarating way to review vocabulary. To set the stage for this game, you'll need a timer, two buckets, a collection of coloured plastic balls, and flashcards filled with lesson-related vocabulary. This activity is particularly engaging for students aged 5-10, though even high schoolers have been known to join in the fun. Given the resources required, it's best suited for smaller class sizes and typically spans about 10 to 15 minutes.

Start by familiarizing students with the required vocabulary using the 2 – 1 – 0 method. After this prep, position an empty bucket close to a wall, and place the second bucket, filled with balls, about a meter or two away. Designate one student to hold the vocabulary flashcards, standing by the empty bucket. This student will quiz their peers. Another student will stand by the bucket filled with balls, ready to answer questions and take shots.

With a timer set for a minute, the game can commence. The student holding the flashcards will present a question like “Do you like [flashcard image]?” The second student, or the shooter, will respond with either “Yes, I do” or “No, I don't”. If they answer correctly, they can attempt to toss a ball into the empty bucket. The process is repeated, with questions and shots, until the timer rings. At that point, count the successful baskets.

After a round, students should switch roles, repeating the questioning and shooting process. Victory goes to the student or team with the most baskets. If you're dealing with a group of six or more students, form teams of three. Each team should have a questioner, a shooter, and someone to keep time and count. Rotate roles among teams, and after three lively rounds, tally the scores to crown the winning team.