6 online word games to learn English the fun way

Online word games
Online word games are a great platform for international students to improve their English proficiency. Source: Roy Rochlin / AFP

Online word games is great for unwinding from the stresses and challenges of daily lives. They hold deeper value than we think of, particularly if the player is an international student looking to brush up on their vocabulary, spelling and overall English proficiency.

As we discover new words in these online word games, we may cross-check them with an online dictionary to discover their meaning and how to apply it in a sentence. Plus, what better way to train ourselves to remain focused on solving the word, thus improving our long-term concentration?

If you’re looking for mind-stimulating online word games to challenge yourself, check these out:

6 online word games to try out

Online word games #1: Scrabble

The online version of Scrabble is a brainteaser word game which tests your ability to create words from a limited set of letters provided. Source: Jay Directo / AFP

Scrabble

The online version of Scrabble tests players’ abilities to form words starting with a selection of seven letters. You can form and link words by adding one or more letters in front of the existing word(s) placed on the tile.

Letters can be intersected with a letter of a word (either horizontally or vertically) already placed on the board, forming a new word. The first word must be formed using a minimum of two letters and a maximum of seven letters.

Players can refer to an online dictionary or a word scrambler database. There are many online platforms that offer Scrabble games, but we recommend Internet Scrabble Club, which is available on iOS and Google Play Store.

Wordmeister

For this alternative to Scrabble, players drag and drop tiles to form a word. Much of the game rules similarly apply to Scrabble, with players being encouraged to form words on bonus spots which increases their word points by utilising the double-letter score, triple-word score and higher score functions.

Wordscapes 

Wordscapes is a brainteaser that tests whether we can spell out several different words using the letters provided. Players swipe the letters in one continuous motion, and once guessed correctly, the letters will fill in the blanks of the word puzzle provided. If they connect a word that doesn’t exist or doesn’t fit the puzzle, they will not be penalised.

If they form a valid word that does not fit the puzzle, it’s a bonus word. Bonus word get players Wordscapes Coins, which can help buy them more power-ups. This game is available on iOS, Google Play Store and iPad.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Postmasters (@postmastersgallery)

SpellTower

SpellTower, simply put, is the word version of Tetris. The game consists of a grid full of letter tiles and the player must spell out words using the letters given on the screen.

Spelling the words enables the player to scrap the spelled words from the board, and a new row of letters will form at the bottom of the screen. The goal of the game is to prevent the grid from rising above the top line, which could cause you to lose the game. SpellTower is available through iOS, Google Play Store and Apple Arcade.

Word Zen

Word Zen is similar to Wordscapes, where players tap a letter and connect them with other letters to form a word. Players get to level up for every words successfully guessed. The game is available on iOS, Google Play Store and iPad.

Wordle

Perhaps one of the most talked-about online word games which has been taking the world by storm is Wordle, where players are given six attempts to guess a five-letter word. It is published by the New York Times daily and is played by 300,000 players a day (as of March 16, 2022).

The rule of the game is simple. If a letter is indicated in black or grey, it means the letter is not found in the word. If a letter is in a yellow box, it means the letter is included in the word but is in the wrong position. If a letter is in a green box, it means the letter is included in the word and is in the right position. Wordle is available on the New York Times website.