When you hear the word ‘game’, you don’t often associate this with learning. However, learning games are an incredibly effective way to refine and improve your English skills. Not only are they useful learning tool, but they are also a lot of fun. 

So, whether you want to use an app, the internet or a good old fashion board game, here are seven catchy learning games that will up your language skills in no time! 

1. Bananagrams

Starting with a classic board game, we have Bananagrams, which is similar to a crossword puzzle. It is a multiplayer game that is fast and frantic as you race against each other to make words and get rid of your tiles. This game is excellent for enhancing your spelling, reading and writing skills while having a lot of fun. Another perk of Bananagrams is that it comes in a small container, making it an excellent portable and travel-friendly size game. 

2. Word Whomp

Word Whomp is a video game that you play online. It gives you six letters, and you have to try and think of as many words as you can in two and a half minutes. Beware, though; if you just enter nonsense words or incorrectly spelt words, then the game ends! Word Whomp is another excellent choice for improving your language skills, and it is an addictive game, particularly for those with competitive natures. Aside from benefiting your vocabulary, it also improves your quick thinking ability, as you will be able to come out with different words quickly during conversations. 

3. Scrabble

Scrabble is a word game that can be played with two to four players. Each player takes a turn placing tiles to make a word, depending on where the letters are placed your word can increase in value. It is played in a crossword fashion, as words have to go from left to right or downwards in a straight line. Unscramble is an English language anagram word unscrambler that you can find online. The tool unscramble.me also serves as a wordfinder to help you find those high-value words that can be played in Scrabble, Words with Friends, and more! It is quick and efficient as it excludes all words that are not defined in dictionaries, which saves you from wasting any moves. 

What’s more, the words are listed in order of their point value, so you will be able to dominate against your opponent in word games. Unscramble isn’t just good for getting an edge in word games, but it is also useful for anagrams, improving spelling, and also broadening your vocabulary.

4. Words With Friends

Words With Friends is a multiplayer word game that is available as an app on your smartphone stores. While it has a very similar format to Scrabble, the mobile app game is not associated with the Scrabble brand. You play 1v1 against each other, taking turns to build words at a higher value than one another until the letter tiles run out and the game ends. This is a great way to improve your spelling, reading, and writing! Additionally, you can hover over any of the words, and the game provides you with a full definition. 

The benefit of using this game is that you can play it anywhere, any time! It can also connect you to friends and people all over the world. What’s more, you get all of this, and it is a free game! You can buy features in the game, but if you do not want to, you can play the entirety of this game without spending a penny.

5. TypeShift

Its makers describe TypeShift as ‘Anagrams meets Word Search, with a sprinkle of Crosswords’. It is a unique game that has gone above, and beyond a usual anagram game, as instead of one scrambled word, you get three to five stacked up and scrambled altogether. You shift columns up and down as you attempt to make a word in the centre row. The game features daily word gameplay with global leaderboards. The easiest daily challenge starts on a Monday, and the word puzzles get harder and harder throughout the week. 

While this is a great game for those who are confident in their English language skills, if you are just beginning to learn English or even just as an intermediate, this game can be quite challenging. It is also worth noting that you have to pay for TypeShift to have it on your phone, but if you are willing to pay for a board game, then you may be willing to pay for a mobile game too. 

6. Boggle

We are going old school here with this one, as we present the board game Boggle! The game aims to create words by connecting the letters from the plastic grid on the board. The board shakes up the letters, and a timer is started, so you have a set amount of time to write down as many words as you can from the letters. Whether you are playing with others or going solo, it is a great way to challenge yourself and train your brain. The game is now available online, so whether you prefer the traditional board game or the online version, you are going to get some great practice in improving your language skills.

7. WordScapes 

WordScapes is an addictive word puzzle game that has over 10 million people playing it! It features modern word puzzles, word searches, anagrams and crosswords. The more you play, the more rewards and backgrounds you can unlock, so then you get to play the puzzles with beautiful scenes to relax you. There is something on there for every level of expertise, so you are likely to find something that suits your ability and helps you to step up your game. 

Games such as these are great to have on your phone because each time you get ten minutes free, whether you are settling down for bed or catching the train on your morning commute, you can use the game to challenge your mind and refine your language skills. Each of these games offers the chance to improve your language skills while actively having fun and allowing you to be able to immerse yourself in a way that is different from typical learning environments.