The Newlywed Game

This is one of my favorite games to play, and is an adaption of the popular “Newlywed Game.” I don’t know if you’ve ever seen any one play the Newlywed Game, but basically, the host asks a Newlywed couple some questions about their spouse. If they know the answer, they get a point. If they don’t, well . . . we know trouble will be brewing after the game. 

This is that game. Except with your classmates. Don’t worry. There’s a lot less pressure. 

I use this game to help students practice asking questions, both the grammar involved in asking a question, but also the conversational aspect of asking questions. It can also help students get more comfortable with the idea of “Getting to know someone” in English. You’ll get to know your students better, and students will get to know their classmates better. And, it’s just flat-out fun!

Here’s how to play:

• Tell everyone to find a partner. No teams! It must just be two people.

• Give students 5 minutes to learn everything they can about their partner. I give them a few suggestions. “What’s their favorite movie? Do they have any siblings? Any hobbies?”

• After 5 minutes, have about 5 teams come to the front of the room. 

• Teammate #1 will stand in front of the chalkboard, and his teammate will stand in front of him.

• Give Teammate #2 a small whiteboard or piece of paper. 

• Ask a question to the students next to the chalkboard, such as, “What is your partner’s favorite color?”

• Teammate 1 (next to the chalkboard) will answer the question by writing the answer on the board.

• Teammate 2 will write down what his personal favorite color is. 

• One by one, have students reveal their answers. If Teammate 2 wrote down his favorite color is blue, and Teammate 1 also wrote “Blue” on the chalkboard, then their team earns a point. 

I usually ask about 5 questions, then let 5 more different teams come up and play. 

Here is a list of questions I usually ask:

• What’s your partner’s favorite color?

• What’s your partner’s favorite food?

• What’s your partner’s favorite movie?

• Does your partner have a sister?

• What is your partner scared of?

• Does your partner have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

• What’s your partner’s hometown?

• What is your partner’s shoe size?

• Does your partner like spicy food?

• What’s your partner’s favorite fruit?

• Does your partner like to read?

• Does your partner play a sport?

• Does your partner prefer coffee or tea?

• How old is your partner?

Tips:

• This game does take a good bit of time, so I only use it when I have a large chunk of time. It sometimes takes students a while to get into the rhythm of the game as well.

• If you have lower-level students, you could have them take notes while they are talking with their partner. They could then use these notes to help them remember what their partner said. It will help them feel more confident standing in front of the class, and can help teach them how to take good notes in English.

• Before beginning the game, I over-explain what happens when I ask the question, “What is your partner’s . . .” Some students will get confused and you will have Teammate 1 answering what Teammate 2’s favorite color is, while Teammate 2 is answering what Teammate 1’s favorite color is. I emphasize that Teammate 1 (next to the chalkboard) is writing about Teammate 2, and Teammate 2 is writing about himself. I use names for the first few rounds. “Joe, what is David’s favorite color?” Then, “David, you write down your favorite color.” 

• Have teammates stand a little far away from each other, and tell them that they cannot talk to their partner throughout the game. If there’s some distance between them, they won’t be able to whisper to each other as easily. 

• If you add your own questions, try to choose questions that can be answered in just one or two words. 

• For some questions (What’s your favorite movie? or What’s your partner’s favorite food?), I allow them to write in their native language, because they might not know the name in English. This is when I ask for the audience’s help. I’ll turn and ask the audience, “Do the answer’s match? Is this answer okay?” 

• Remind the students watching that they are the audience. They are expected to listen, pay attention, laugh, and support their classmates. 

Have fun with it! Remind them it’s just a game. Laugh and play along with the answers they give. 

My students have loved getting to hear their classmates “secrets” and guess along with their classmates to see how well they know each other.