This ice breaker has been designed to accommodate students of a level 2 or 3—those who already possess English skills, though you, the teacher, can modify it to fit any skill level. Even though this activity is intended to be an ice- breaker, it nonetheless embodies key elements of grammar (e.g. has + past participial; […]
Spot the Difference
Preparation: Go to a spot the difference in the picture website like this. You might want to find the differences yourself before giving them to students. Instructions: Give all groups or pairs the same set of photos and have them race to see who can spot all the differences first. Students then describe the differences […]
Riddles
Preparation: Find riddles, logic puzzles, or practical puzzles to give your students. Some riddles can be found here and some practical puzzles/logic puzzles/riddles can be found here. Instructions: Put students into groups or pairs and give them all the same riddle or puzzle. Groups create as many answers as they can. Elicit the answers from […]
Personality Quiz
Preparation: None Instructions Put students into pairs or groups. Tell each student to write down their three favorite animals. Groups or pairs then brainstorm POSITIVE adjectives for each animal. (example: dogs – loyal, friendly, energetic, etc.) After the groups and pairs finish tell the students that: Their first animal and its adjectives are how they […]
Multipurpose
Preparation: Think of a couple of objects Instructions: Put students into groups and give each group a object word. (example: picture frame) The groups must then think of as many uses as they can for the object. (example: Use it like a horseshoe and try to throw it on a peg as a game, Use […]
Twenty Questions
Preparation: Think of a category (famous people, food, etc.) Instructions: Model it once for the students. Tell them you are think of something in a category. (example: “I’m thinking of a food.”) Students can then ask you twenty questions to try to find out what food you are thinking of. Put students into groups or […]
Deserted Island
Preparation: None Instructions: Put students in pairs or groups. Tell the group that they will be trapped on an island for one year and cannot leave. They can take 5 things with them. On the island: freshwater, monkeys, coconut trees and fish in the surrounding waters They must tell the class the 5 things they […]
Paper Fight
Preparation: Think of three or more questions (these can be taken from the small talk ice breaker questions) Sheets of paper, one for each student Instructions: Write the questions on the board. Students must then write their answers on the pieces of paper. Students then crumple the paper up into a ball and throw it […]
Two Truths One Lie
Preparation: Think of two true things about yourself and one lie. (For example: I got a scuba diving license when I was 15, I have been to Tanzania, My parents own a pizza restaurant) Instructions: Model the exercise first. Students must ask you questions to find out which is the lie. (For example: Where did you […]
Who Am I?
Preparation: Materials needed: paper cut into pieces, tape You’ll probably want to model this one first with a student volunteer. Instructions: Give students the pieces of paper and tell them to write a famous person’s name on it. A person that they think everyone will know. (i.e. the President of their country or the President […]