Play UNO in Your ESL/EFL Classroom! (+links)

I'm sure that we all have played a game of Uno at least once in our life! So why don't we bring it into the ESL/EFL classroom? Play Uno with a twist with your students and make them talk! The only difference from the original game is that when you want to play a card, you have to ask someone a question!

How to conduct a successful conversation class?

We all know that students talking is the most important part of an ESL/EFL lesson. However, not all students are as talkative as we would wish. 

In my opinion, the key to conducting a successful lesson based on conversation is to prepare interesting questions which flow quite nicely. You have to move through the questions smoothly, ask for details and be responsive. Nonetheless, there is nothing worse than a dead silence between the questions. Therefore, let me introduce you to UNO conversation cards!

How to play UNO?

Start with shuffling the deck. Give everyone 7 cards and put the rest of them aside in a pile. Draw the first card from the deck and put it in on the table (it cannot be a special card). Players match the number or the color of the card on the table and one of their cards. If the card matches, the game moves to another player. If the player doesn't have a matching card, they have to draw one from the pile.

Players can also play one of the special cards:

  • Reverse - This card reverses the order of play, from left-to-right to right-to left.
  • Skip - The next player has to skip their turn, unless they have another skip card. Then, the player after them skips two turns.
  • Draw 2 - The next player has to draw 2 cards from the file, unless they have another Draw 2 or Draw 4 card. Then, the nuber stacks, and the next player has to draw 4 or 6 cards.
  • Draw 4 - The next player draws 4 cards, unless they have another Draw 4 card. Then, the next player draws 8 cards. You can put this card of any color or number. You decide what color should go next.
  • Wild - With this card, you can decide what color should go next. It can be put on any color and any number.

How to win?

You have to get rid of all of your cards. But! When you have just one card left, you have to say "Uno!" If you forget to do it and another player notices it, you have to draw 4 cards from the pile.

The twist!

Once a student uses their card, they should pick someone from the group and ask them the question on the card. That way, the conversation will flow and the students will be interested in the topics. What is more, you can play with different types of questions, such as "Would you rather...?" or "This or that?" You may also use it to practice grammar structures you've introduced during your lessons.



Looking for some UNO conversation decks?

I've made some myself! You can get them here:


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