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The Imposter Game in the Classroom
A ten-minute game that gets every student describing, listening and reasoning out loud. How to run it with a whole class, word lists by subject, and a one-page rules sheet to print.
Vocabulary
Describing a word without saying it is retrieval practice in disguise.
Listening and inference
Students spot the clue that doesn’t quite fit, and explain why.
Reasoning out loud
Every vote needs a reason. Quiet students get a low-stakes way in: one word.
Whole class
How to run it with 30 students
- 1
Make groups of 5–8
A class of 30 makes four or five tables. Mixed-ability groups work well.
- 2
One device or one set of slips per group
Slips: write the word on all but one. The last slip says IMPOSTER and the topic.
- 3
Clue round
One word each, in turn. For language learners, allow a full sentence and go round twice.
- 4
Discuss and vote
Two minutes on the board timer, then everyone points on three. A caught imposter gets one guess at the word.
- 5
Debrief as a class
Which clue was the best? Which one gave someone away, and why? This is where the learning sticks.
No time for groups? Play a fishbowl
Deal to five volunteers at the front. The rest of the class are detectives: they hear every clue and vote along. Swap the players each round.
Family-safe · by subject
Classroom word lists
Words marked Pro come from the app’s packs; the web game deals from the free ones. Or write slips from this week’s vocabulary.
Science
Living things, weather and the planet. A good clue round doubles as a quick review.
School life
Words every student has lived through. The fastest way to get a quiet class talking.
School Days Pro
- Pop quiz
- Hall pass
- Field trip
- Substitute teacher
- Show and tell
- Cursive
- Lost and found
- Counting down to the bell
Careers
Jobs you know and jobs you didn’t know existed. Great for a careers unit.
Jobs Pro
- Lifeguard
- Magician
- Volcanologist
- Storm chaser
- Crossword writer
- Chocolate taster
- Zamboni driver
- Panda nanny
Everyday English
Places, chores and household things for language learners. Ask for a full sentence instead of one word.
- Bus stop
- Supermarket
- Haircut
- Laundry
- Rainy day
- Pharmacy
- Library
- Post office
- Fridge
- Toothbrush
- Alarm clock
- Umbrella
- Ladder
- Mirror
PE and sports
For the gym on a rainy day, or the last ten minutes before the bell.
- Referee
- Goalkeeper
- Jump rope
- Trampoline
- Dodgeball
- Tug of war
- Warm-up
- Stretching
- Whistle
- Finish line
Make a list from this week’s vocabulary
Pick words a student could give five different clues for without saying them. “Volcano” works: lava, mountain, erupt, ash, Hawaii. “Basalt” doesn’t — after “rock” and “lava”, most students run out.
Imposter Club · imposterwordgame.com
The imposter game: classroom rules
You need: groups of 5–8 · one device or folded slips per group · 10 minutes
- Deal. Everyone gets the secret word, except the imposter, who only gets the topic.
- Clues. In turn, one word each (or one sentence). Don’t say the word itself.
- Discuss. Two minutes. Ask “why that clue?”
- Vote. On three, everyone points. The player with the most fingers is accused.
- Last chance. A caught imposter gets one guess at the word. Right, and they win anyway.
Points: imposter caught, +1 for everyone else · imposter survives, +2 · caught but guesses the word, +3. First to 5 wins.
Debrief: Which clue was the best? Which clue gave someone away?
No devices? Write the word on every slip but one. On the last, write IMPOSTER and the topic. Fold, shuffle, deal.
From the staff room
Tips for teachers
- Hint on for younger classes, off for older ones. Without the topic, the imposter has to listen hard.
- Let quieter students go later when you use slips: they’ll have more clues to build on.
- Call it bluffing, not lying. The imposter plays a role, and a great bluff deserves applause.
- Put the timer on the board. Two minutes of discussion keeps every group on the same round.
- End on the debrief, not on the vote. One question about the best clue is enough.
Imposter Club for iPhone
No ads, no internet, no accounts
The app runs offline on any iPhone, and Family mode keeps every pack and word family-safe.
FAQ
Questions from teachers
What age is the imposter game good for in school?
From about grade 2 with the hint on, all the way to high school and adult language classes. The lists on this page are tagged with the grades they suit.
How do you play the imposter game with a whole class?
Split the class into groups of 5 to 8, each with one device or a set of paper slips. Or play a fishbowl round: five players at the front, the rest of the class watch and vote as detectives.
How long does a round take?
About five minutes with a two-minute discussion. Three rounds fit a 15-minute slot, debrief included.
Do students need phones?
No. One teacher device per group is enough, and paper slips work just as well.
Are there ads?
Not on this page, and the game opened from it shows none, so it is safe to put on the board.
Is it good for ESL classes?
Yes. Describing a word without saying it is core speaking practice. Allow full sentences, go round twice, and use the Everyday English list.
Ten minutes left? Deal the cards.
Free in your browser, no sign-up. Gather 3 or more people and press Play.