No fixed CEFR level 5–10 min Speaking Comparatives & conditionals

What it is

Animal Challenge is a whole-class ELT speaking game in which 16 animals compete in a single-elimination tournament. Students debate which animal best fits each question and then vote as a class to advance one animal to the next round.

The tournament bracket is randomised each time, so no two games are the same. Students argue their case using comparatives and conditionals. This language arises naturally from the format rather than being drilled in isolation.

Open a highlighted matchup and read the question. Students compare the animals and justify their choice using reasons, comparisons, and short conditional ideas where possible. Use 'New Question' to replace an unsuitable prompt, the question mark for a hint, or Google to check its choice. Vote or select the stronger argument, choose the winner, and continue until one champion remains.

Screenshots

The Animal Challenge knockout bracket, with sixteen animals on the bottom row narrowing to a final pair and an empty winner's slot

An Animal Challenge round comparing a tiger and a tortoise under the question "Which is more beautiful?"

Who it suits

Best suited to younger learners and lower-secondary students (ages 8–12), though it works well with any age group that enjoys debate and voting. There is no CEFR level to set: the questions are open comparisons, so students answer with whatever language they have and the teacher pitches the discussion to the class.

How classroom play works

The teacher opens the game on a shared classroom screen — a projector, interactive whiteboard or classroom display. The bracket is displayed for the whole class. The teacher clicks a highlighted matchup to reveal the question, and students discuss which animal fits best. The teacher decides (or the class votes) to advance the winner. There are no individual student logins or devices needed as the game runs from a single teacher screen.

Skill focus

The game specifically targets spoken production of comparatives ("Is a shark faster than a tortoise?") and conditional structures ("Which animal could hide better in a classroom?"). Because students are making arguments and justifying choices, the language practice is communicative rather than mechanical.

Unlike most Lingadoo games, Animal Challenge has no CEFR level to choose: every class gets the same set of comparison prompts, and the language students produce is whatever the question inspires in them. See the CEFR guide for how levels are applied across the games that do use them.