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Ghost Story Chain: A Halloween speaking game for teens

Groups of four build a ghost story one sentence each, and every sentence has to use the spooky word on the speaker's card. The class votes for the best twist.

Free, no sign-in. A4 and US Letter. Answer keys included.

The how-to-teach video comes out on Mon 19 Oct.

• Ages 11 to 18: Teens
• Pre-intermediate +: About A2 to B1
• 15 minutes: Two or three rounds
• Groups of 4: One word card each
• Past simple: and linking words

Free printables

Everything you need for the game, ready to print in black and white.

• Spooky word cards (2 pages, PDF): Four sets of four word cards, linking word cards for stuck students, and blank cards for your own words. A4 · US Letter
• Story chain sheet and vote slips (2 pages, PDF): One sheet per group to plan the chain, and cut-out slips for the best twist vote. A4 · US Letter
• Worksheet: Support, Core, Challenge (4 pages, PDF): Story order, past simple and linking words, then a story of their own, with a QR code for home practice and an answer key. A4 · US Letter

Ghost Story Chain in four steps

1. Deal the cards. Groups of four. Give each student one spooky word card from the same set: candle, locked door, scream, spider.
2. Build the story. One sentence each, in turn. Every sentence must use the word on the card: "Tom lit a candle in the old house. Then he found a locked door…"
3. Tell it. Each group tells its story to the class, one voice per sentence.
4. Vote. The class votes for the best twist. That team wins a point.

Tip: If someone gets stuck, hand them a linking word card: "Suddenly…"

Easier: Put the linking words on the board. Harder: Nobody can say "and then", and the last sentence must be a twist.

Words and a model story

Spooky words, four sets

The story from the video, with Set A:

Set A: candle, locked door, scream, spider

Set B: shadow, whisper, key, storm

Set C: mirror, footsteps, attic, clock

Set D: window, cobweb, bat, ghost

"Tom lit a candle in the old house. Then he found a locked door. Suddenly, he heard a scream! But it was only a giant spider!"

Stuck? Linking words

Then…, Suddenly…, But…, So…, After that…, Just then…, While…, In the end…

Past simple (was, heard, found, opened), past continuous for stronger groups (while we were reading…), linking words (then, suddenly, but, so, in the end).

Why it works

Each student holds a piece of the story nobody else has, so the group can only finish by listening and building on what came before. The vote gives the story a real audience.

What you need

Groups of four, one word card each. About 15 minutes for two or three rounds. The free printables above cover everything else.

Practise at home

The worksheet QR code opens the Halloween word search, free, no sign-in.

Make a Halloween Story Adventure

A spooky choose-your-path story the class reads and votes on together. Make it free

More Halloween classroom games

• Who Stole the Pumpkin?: A Halloween mystery speaking game for teens
• Draw My Monster: A Halloween listening game for kids and teens

Ghost Story Chain FAQ

What level is Ghost Story Chain?

Pre-intermediate and up (about A2 to B1), ages 11 to 18. Weaker groups use the linking word cards; stronger groups add the past continuous.

How many word cards do I need?

One set of four per group. The file has four sets (A to D), sixteen cards on one page, plus linking word cards for students who get stuck.

What if a student gets stuck?

Hand them a linking word card ("Suddenly…", "But…") and let them start from there.

Can I use it outside Halloween?

Yes. Swap the spooky words for any topic, with the blank cards on page 2.

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