Let’s be real. It’s May. You’re tired. I’m tired. The kids are tired. The coffee pot is tired.
If you’re anything like me, this time of year brings a mix of emotions: pride in how far your students have come, dread at the mountain of grading, and let’s not forget the brain fog that makes you forget how to say “pencil” in your target language.
So what do you actually do with your language classes during those final weeks that doesn’t require staying up until midnight laminating?
Let me help. Here are some of my favorite low-prep, high-impact end-of-year activities that will keep students engaged and give you a chance to breathe:
1. “Unfair Game” without making slides
Review vocab or grammar with this twisted twist on classroom competition. Make some questions on a card and draw them out or have students turn them over. It can be as simple as a vocabulary word or verb conjugation. Put some random points on a card or use dice to roll. Flip a coin for positive (heads) or negative (tails). That determines if their answer is worth +1 or -6 points. Because you never know which questions are easy or hard! They’re guessing, strategizing, and reviewing—all while laughing.
2. Silent Ball + Language Questions
Yes, we’re throwing things. No, it’s not chaos (well… maybe a little). Students toss a soft ball, but before they throw, they have to answer a question in the target language. “What’s your favorite food?” “Say something with a reflexive verb.” Keep it light, silly, and safe!
3. Music Madness
Pick 3–5 student favorite songs from the year (or ones they haven’t heard yet), watch the music videos, and do mini-activities: cloze lyrics, vote on favorites, draw scenes, or just vibe. Let them make a “class playlist” for the year!
4. Reader’s Theater
Print a simple script (or better yet—use one you already have). Assign roles and let the kids ham it up. Bonus points if they use costumes from your Lost & Found pile.
5. Language-Themed Pictionary or Charades
Use vocab from recent units. Divide the class into teams and keep score on the board. Let students be the ones to run the game after the first round—delegate, friend!
6. Cultural Mini-Projects
Pick a country, dish, holiday, or festival and let students explore it. No tech? Have them draw a poster or make a fake travel brochure. Tech? Let them make a Canva slide or Flip video. No grades needed—just fun and curiosity.
7. “Write a Letter to Next Year’s Students”
This one’s gold. Ask your current students to write short letters (in English or the TL) giving advice, tips, or funny warnings to next year’s class. You can read them aloud in August and smile.
8. Movie Day—but Make it Count
Pick a movie in the target language (with appropriate ratings and subtitles, of course). Give students a simple viewing guide: describe a character, summarize a scene, or write 3 new vocab words they heard. Then… you sit. You breathe.
9. “Would You Rather?” in the Target Language
Low prep, high interaction. Would you rather eat snails or swim with sharks? Wear winter clothes in the desert or summer clothes in Antarctica? It’s silly, it’s creative, and it practices language and opinions. Make them move from side to side of the room. If you feel like it you can make it on Kahoot.
10. Create a Class Yearbook Page
What were your top moments in class? Favorite new words? Weirdest story you told? Let students draw, doodle, and reflect. Keep a copy—you’ll thank yourself later.
We’re almost there, my friends. Don’t let perfection get in the way of survival. Give yourself permission to review, reflect, and recharge—with joy. You’ve earned it.
And hey—if you’re looking for even more end-of-year magic for next year, Ça Marche! and ¡VALE! have built-in final unit ideas that are teacher-friendly, student-loved, and—most importantly—low stress.
Now go refill that coffee. You’re doing amazing.