Ghost - a spelling, vocabulary and active listening game
A collaborative game that students can enjoy in any English lesson
Steven Figg first learned this game in 1981 and still plays it with his Grade 7 and 8 classes at
Ogilvie High School. Once students become familiar with the game, it can be played with a
class in approximately ten minutes.
The game Ghost encourages students to listen attentively, to spell accurately, to develop their
vocabulary, to think quickly and to cooperate with others. It is a fun activity, which all students
can play and enjoy. And because there is also an element of luck in the game, weaker spellers
in the class can also win the game.
The objective of the game is to add a letter to a given letter or string of letters, without
spelling a complete word, but knowing a word which begins with the given letter or string
of letters.
Student A starts by saying a letter aloud; for example the letter S. Student B must listen
carefully and add a letter without spelling a complete word; for example the letter T.If student
B had added the letter O, he or she would be out because he or she would have spelled the
word SO. Whenever a student is out, the game begins again with a new letter.
Student C must listen carefully and add a further letter without spelling a complete word; for
example the letter A thus making the string STA. Student D could add the letter R, thinking of
the word START. In this case, student D would be out because he or she has spelled the word
STAR. Remember, whenever a student is out, the game begins again with a new letter.
At any stage, a student can challenge the previous student to provide a word that begins with
the string of letters that have been given. For example, Student D may have believed that
there are no words that begin with the letter string STA and challenged Student C to provide
one. If student C can provide a word, for example START, the challenger is out. If student C
cannot think of a word, he or she is out.
The challenge rule stops students from not listening and adding letters at random.
Foreign words, abbreviations, proper nouns and hyphenated words are not permitted in Ghost.
Once students become familiar with Ghost, they should only be allowed five seconds to either
add a letter or challenge.