Learning to talk about the weather is a pretty basic, yet important skill when learning a new language. There are lots of opportunities throughout the day to observe and discuss the weather which is what makes this topic perfect for teaching your students English.
Read on to discover 18 fantastic ESL weather activity ideas that make learning weather-related vocabulary easy and fun!
Weather Activity Games
1. Play a Weather Idiom Board Game
There are many phrases in English that, to a non-native speaker, don’t seem to make sense. “It’s raining cats and dogs” is one such example. Use this game board to teach students about the meaning behind phrases like these.
Learn More: Twinkl
2. Play a Game of Weather-Themed Bingo
A fun game of bingo can easily engage your students in a fun revision session! Each student gets a bingo board and can cross off pictures as the teacher calls out specific weather types.
Learn More: Gift of Curiosity
3. Play a Roll and Talk Game
This game is a great resource for encouraging students to use their newly-acquired vocabulary. Students will roll two dice and use the numbers to locate their weather-related questions. They must then answer the question before the next student has a turn.
Learn More: Pinterest
4. Guess The Weather Game
This fun game is a great starter for your next weather-based language lesson. Students must try to guess the weather based on a blurry preview. They must shout out the correct answer before it’s revealed!
Learn More: SKY HIGH studio
5. Play an Interactive Online Game
In this fun online game, students must match the weather picture with the correct vocabulary word. Students can have an unlimited number of tries to complete this task but can use a timer if they want to make it a competition!
Learn More: ESL Games World
6. Play a Weather Warm Up Game
This fun warm-up game teaches students key weather phrases simple songs, rhymes, and actions. Students will learn how to ask what the weather is like and how to answer the question too!
Learn more: Mooncake English
Weather Worksheets
7. Keep a Weather Diary
Get your learners to use this weather diary to practice weather vocabulary and record the weather conditions of each day of the week.
Learn More: ESL Printables
8. Draw the Weather
This free printable gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of weather-related vocabulary. Students will read the sentences in each block and then draw pictures that depict them.
Learn More: Pinterest
9. Complete a Weather Adjective Crossword
These weather adjective crosswords are ideal for older students who are looking to expand their conversational vocabulary around the topic of weather. The activity is best completed in pairs.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
10. Do a Fun Word Search Puzzle
This free weather worksheet is a super way for students to reinforce newly-acquired vocabulary. Students can work independently to find the weather condition vocabulary words in the puzzle. They can then match the words to the pictures below.
Learn More: English Wsheets
Hands-On Activities
11. Explore a Weather Bag
Bringing a weather bag for your students to explore is a fun way for them to explore related vocabulary. Place items in the bag that would typically be needed for different types of weather. As you remove each item, have your students tell you what type of weather the item is used in.
Learn More: Jenny White: ESL Games and Teaching Tips
12. Prepare and Film a Weather Report
Have your students film themselves delivering a weather report like on the news! Students can use real weather forecasts or create their own so that they can show off as much of their vocabulary as possible.
Learn More: Discovery Place
13. Research The Weather in Another Country
This fantastic resource includes different lesson plans for a range of activities, including one that guides students to research the weather in a different country and present this information to others. As students learn about global weather they’re introduced to a broader range of vocabulary.
Learn More: Teaching English
14. Talk About The Weather In Class
Having a weather chart in the classroom is a great resource to prompt daily weather discussions. This calendar has clear weather symbols that your students can use to record the weather each day.
Learn more: Amazon
15. Create a Weather Wheel
Get your students to create a weather wheel to help embed weather vocabulary; giving them a tool to reference in future lessons. This activity is a great opportunity for your students to get creative and let their artistic skills flow too!
Learn More: OJ Toys
16. Explore The Weather of Different Seasons With an Anchor Chart
This DIY anchor chart is perfect for expanding your students’ knowledge of different kinds of weather and other related vocabulary. Students can match different types of weather each season and list activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Learn More: Joe and Allie Teach
17. Learn a Song About The Water Cycle
Learning a weather song is a super way to introduce learners to new weather-related vocabulary. This song about the water cycle is an excellent opportunity to teach students some tricky words like precipitation and evaporation.
Learn More: Planet Pop by ELT Songs
18. Use Prompt Cards to Practice Talking About The Weather
This free pack of speaking cards is the perfect prompt to have on hand for students who quickly finish their work.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
21 Excellent Listening Activities For ESL Classes