Silence is not your enemy, and 143 Icebreaker Questions for Classes Pat Barber November 21, 2015 Coaching Development There’s a quick and easy way to set the mood for a class and make CrossFit less intimidating to new members — it’s called the “Question of the Day.” Thus they are authentic and funny. Designed as simple team building activities to help ease employees or groups into a little team bonding, icebreaker questions dont need to be as scary or boring! Throughout the term, English students might be coming to class tired after a long day or groggy and sleepy-eyed, so you want to get them engaged and energetic, and it might take a little creative ice-breaking to do that! This ESL icebreaker is a fun vocabulary guessing game. I wrote about this kind of icebreaker in an earlier post that turned out to be quite popular. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Creative Commons . Purpose of Icebreaker Questions for Work. It also happens to work particularly well as an ESL activity for the first day of class. In this creative game, first think of several half-sentences and write each one on the top of its own piece of paper. To play this icebreaker game for kids, tell your students to follow these steps: Write 3 to 5 facts about themselves on a piece of paper. If used on the first day, the teacher can start by demonstrating the game as a good getting-to-know-the-teacher activity! One of the hardest things about teaching ESL in a language academy or institute is that every month you have new students mixed in with your old ones. Personal / Life Questions What was your favorite game when you were a kid? ESL Icebreaker Conversation Questions. A guide to English language worksheets and teaching ideas for icebreakers, theatre games, warm ups for English language classes. Have students take turns sharing what items they found. Author lucelmartel Posted on September 3, 2020 September 3, 2020 Categories Lessons, Question of the day Tags A2, b1, covid, discussion, efl, ESL, questions, warmup. (These questions are also listed under grammar), Questions based on comparatives (i.e. Introduce a strange word that you’re sure they’ve never heard before (ask them to be sure that no one knows it, and make sure nobody looks it up!). (Just enough to break the ice!) Alternatively, you could … One student thinks of three statements about herself that she will share with the class. They can write down the names of their classmates next to each one to keep track of who fits which trait. Good Icebreaker Questions: These questions are taken from Gary Poole’s book, The Complete Book of Questions . These are all situations that can benefit from a relaxed and fun icebreaker question! And remember, the goal of these icebreaker questions for teens is to help students to find common ground with each other. Icebreaker questions are more than small talk. This fun writing icebreaker works well with students that are at least at … Computer Lab Ideas for the First Day of School. For teaching young learners, you could use this same idea to teach new, level-appropriate vocabulary or even to review past words that you’ve taught them. To help you with your next event, here are 100 ice breaker questions, broken down by seven categories. 20 questions is a fun icebreaker to use on your first day. E.g., “It is purple. You can emphasize this by having students write down the connections they make to each person they talk to if you wish. I’ve lived in three countries, and I’m a ballet dancer.” Then, the other students must guess which statement is a lie and if they can, explain why they think so. Print off images that represent a certain action you want students to take, such as saying a word three times, saying it fast, saying it slowly, saying it loudly, whispering it, saying it in a low voice, saying it angrily, etc. The Best ESL Icebreakers. Icebreaker Questions for Different Categories of Kids. Icebreaker Games For Beginners. Fly the paper airplane towards the center of the room. Before class, you’ll need to create a special dice for this icebreaker. … Would you rather lose your wallet or lose your keys? The Role of Icebreakers in the Classroom . Icebreaker questions Here are some questions you can use to get your students talking. First, let’s talk about how ESL icebreakers are beneficial in many classroom situations. Cut the images out and glue or tape them to each side of your cube. It also allows late-coming students to enter without missing out on the main lesson. No time for prep? Looking for a way to promote your products and services on the #1 ESL Website on the Net? Creating a positive class environment where everyone gets along with another is achievable with icebreaker questions. Darren Bagley, Michigan State University Extension - March 31, 2020. The goal of icebreaker questions is to loosen up a group of people—so that they can get comfortable talking to each other. “Tell me about yourself”: This is one of the sure questions that every candidate has to say whenever he/she appears for an interview. Have you ever… Questions about students experiences using the present perfect (i.e. This is the ideal icebreaker … This is an easy ESL icebreaker to incorporate on the first day of class (or later on if you feel students could get to know one another better). COVID Names. This ESL icebreaker is a fun vocabulary guessing game. Icebreakers are a lot of fun and can also be used to give students a break from more structured class activities, whether. Related. High school students are full-blown teenagers within the age group of 14-18. ESL icebreakers are also a way to build confidence and trust and allow students to see the classroom as a safe space for practicing English, asking questions, and even making mistakes. Whether teaching in a physical classroom or a virtual one, the first day of English class is crucial for setting the tone for the whole term, so it’s important to start with a bang. However, you can make this game as complex as you want, such as choosing to insert “beep” for odd or even numbers, on numbers divisible by three, etc. Even very confident speakers can struggle when trying to get to know people in a group setting. Icebreaker Questions for High School Students. We hope these icebreaker questions help break through the awkward silence and start some fun conversations! Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom A Project of The Internet TESL Journal If this is your first time here, then read the Teacher's Guide to Using These Pages If you can think of a good question for any list, please send it to us. While there are tons of icebreakers out there, the best ones are fun and engaging, promote speaking in English, and foster confidence. You could also bring it to the next level by creating other sounds or words they have to say for certain numbers. Ask your student(s) to bring a meaningful object to class and share the story behind it with you and/or their classmates. Find someone who..... By ashbla08 Students have to ask their fellow classmates questions in order to fill the blanks. Find out the top picks for ESL icebreakers to use on the first day of English class. ESL Icebreaker Conversation Questions. The 25 best icebreaker questions for team-building at work. You can see that they were enjoying themselves too. 225 East 16th Avenue, Suite 120, Denver, CO 80203. In class, have your student(s) say a word or set of words that you choose. The right ESL icebreaker activities can be the perfect way to do it. 10 First day icebreaker: personal information “Getting to Know You” is a pretty obvious idea. To help students get started, give them a list of things to find out about their partner, such as where they’re from, how many siblings they have, or what their summer plans are for the upcoming year. Share . Icebreaker activities for ESL are a great way to get to know your students on the first day of class. Kayla Rutledge is a college student who spends most of her time writing, singing for her church and eating quesadillas. Paper Airplane You. ESL icebreakers are a great way to accomplish this, as they get students moving, build confidence, and set the tone for class. This icebreaker is especailly valuable for sharing feelings during this difficult time. (These questions are also listed under grammar). Use This or That questions in school, at camp, in the car, or anytime you want a quick and easy game that needs no special equipment or advance preparation. Read off the definitions and have students vote on which they believe to be the correct one. See more ideas about discussion questions, this or that questions, ice breaker questions. Don’t forget that your new students are sure to be a little nervous, too. At the end, the student will reveal whether the others guessed correctly or incorrectly. Number of students: 4+ Activity Execution: This is a good icebreaker-type activity that practices writing, speaking, and listening. Whether it’s the beginning of a school year with a new group of students, a new student joins you mid-year, or any other occasion – such as you need to prepare the class for teamwork – icebreakers can help you build rapport and a sense of community in your classroom. Author lucelmartel Posted on September 3, 2020 September 3, 2020 Categories Lessons, Question of the day Tags A2, b1, covid, discussion, efl, ESL, questions, warmup Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. The 28 questions below come from teams all over the world that use a single-question icebreaker to set a positive mood and get everyone engaged in the first five minutes of a meeting. The only trouble I’ve had with this exercise is matching the questions … My master list of icebreaker questions. Then, write a word on the board (for beginners, tell them the category or theme of words, such as jobs or food – ideally vocabulary they are already studying). Would you rather speak all languages fluently or be able to speak to animals. There are a few games you could play, but the most commonly played and easily used are icebreaker questions. Cosmo Quiz is from 39 ESL Icebreakers: For Teenagers and Adults.. Ball toss is an extremely versatile activity that lends itself to just about any topic or context. A good ice-breaker for a new class or new term! Each of the following icebreakers requires little to no preparation, is easy to explain, and can be adapted to all levels and ages. Typically, icebreakers yield entertaining and interesting answers. www.ESLKidsGames.com by David Muclahy is licensed … Looking for a way to promote your products and services on the #1 ESL Website on the Net? For example, the first student would say, “one,” the second would say, “beep,” the third would say, “three,” the fourth would say, “beep,” and so on. This listening-based icebreaker can be a bit of a challenge for beginning students. The corniest icebreaker question ever: How much does a polar bear weigh? When meeting face-to-face, this often happens informally through chit chat before … Every class needs an icebreaker. Traditionally, students alternate between saying a number and the word “beep” as they go around the room counting. In this creative game, first think of several half-sentences and write each … 8,548 Downloads . Icebreakers will help you as a teacher learn how comfortable your students are with the language as well as with interactions in a social situation. Dan Chruscinski - Updated May 10, 2019 . 20 questions is a fun icebreaker to use on your first day. It's fun as it gets students up, talking and moving about the classroom. Would you rather eat your favorite meal for every meal for the rest of your life or never be able to eat your favorite meal again? Before playing, label the corners of your room one through four. This is a very simple ESL icebreaker that works well for any age and is a great way to practice English numbers. Finally, a really good icebreaker doesn’t require too much preparation and additional materials but rather focuses on oral participation and fun. The Ultimate Guide to Ice Breaker Questions – Small Group Tips says: November 3, 2014 at 10:56 pm […] My master list of icebreaker questions […] Reply. Teacher Quiz: Self-Introduction. Laughter is a terrific equalizer and allows warm interaction to emerge quickly during meetings, training, and team-building sessions. When you are meeting virtually, it is important to remain connected to each other’s lives. Advertise with ESL Cafe Now! ESL Creativity Activity – Teens and Adults All Levels Students are given part of a picture and they must complete the picture in any way that they wish. Print . Then, collect the papers and mix them up. 9 ESL Icebreaker Games for Kids Game #1: Paper Planes. Why You Should Go to the Office Holiday Party | Career. This was a fun group of students to teach. Tweet . English ESL icebreaker worksheets - Most downloaded (86 Results) Prev; 1; 2; 3... 8 > Next Order By: Most downloaded | Most favorited | Newest. Completely random questions, so random in fact, that every student can find at least a couple of questions that will pique their interest. A guide to English language worksheets and teaching ideas for icebreakers, theatre games, warm ups for English language classes. Collect all of the definitions and insert your own—the correct one—into the mix. Need to fill time? This was a fun group of students to teach. The questions could be something like “What is your favorite holiday?” or “What kind of movies do you like?”, Students then either fold their papers or crumple them up into balls and drop them in a box as you pass it around. This ESL activity, based on the game of the same name, works well for older and more advanced students. 65 icebreaker questions for online meetings. Top 20 ESL Icebreakers | Icebreaker Questions and Activities. The desire to guess takes over, and formerly reserved students forget that they were ever afraid to speak up in English. Give points for students who guess correctly. Icebreakers are an excellent way to promote student interactions and to develop personal connections early in the semester, which is particularly important in blended and online courses. Life says: December 11, 2014 at 7:55 am […] to talk instead. ESL Games and Activities Getting Started Teacher Resources Icebreaker Questions to Get to Know Your Students. One of the main ideas behind icebreakers is to get students out of their shells and make them more comfortable with speaking in class, so you’ll need to use an icebreaker that interests them. Use all or some of these questions to get students talking to each other. Then, the other students try to prompt the hot-seater into guessing what the word is by describing it without saying the actual word (fun with famous people too!). Provide students with a short list (3-5 items) of types of objects they need to find. Have a look through and choose the icebreaker questions that you think will work best for the person or people you are talking to. Posted on October 15, 2012 Written by Liz Williams 10 Comments. Interesting questions for discussions in Engish lessons. Good icebreaker questions ask for information that the hirer can use.” Good Icebreaker Interview Questions and Answers: 1. These are targeted questions that usually require a moment of pause to consider—and answer. Then, write a word on the board (for beginners, tell them the category or theme of words, such as jobs or food – ideally vocabulary they are already studying). Check out our list of virtual team building ideas for more ways to connect virtual teams. Kayla Rutledge is a college student who spends most of her time writing, singing for her church and eating quesadillas. Break the ice easily and in a fun way with these top choices for games and activities that are designed to help students get to know each other and create a more comfortable atmosphere. It’s a personal information exercise and allows the teacher to assess the student’s abilities. If you’re teaching just one student, set a timer for five minutes (or whatever time you choose) and see if they can collect all of the required items before time runs out. Walking into a room full of new students can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t have a lot of ESL teaching experience. Games and Activities for Teaching Young Learners, Teaching English Online Games and Activities. Write a discussion topic on the board (for example, food, pets, social media, or dating) and then start passing a ball or “hot potato” from student to student. and receive the answer 'Yes, I play the drums.' No time for prep? It is big.” If you only have one student, consider asking them to bring in two or three objects total. Continue the Story. As earlier mentioned, icebreakers are quite essential for kids for a variety of reasons. Use get to know each other type questions, dependent on the age and level of your students. For example, every number divisible by three must be replaced by “beep,” and every odd number must be replaced by “boop.” For numbers that fall into both categories, you must say both (“beep boop”). For this game, you will need a paper map of the world and a set of pins. It's fun as it gets students up, talking and moving about the classroom. Additional Resources Icebreaker Questions for Small Groups. Check out our. With a new group of students who have little to no English ability, it’s important to keep it simple. I would encourage you to wait on the answers from your group. Related articles. , you could use this same idea to teach new, level-appropriate vocabulary or even to review past words that you’ve taught them. Improve your employee engagement in less than two minutes . Below are a few of my favorites. Laughter is a terrific equalizer and allows warm interaction to emerge quickly during meetings, training, and team-building sessions. Have each student write down a definition that they believe fits the word. This is an … When you start a video call with a quick round of team building icebreaker questions for work, you give your people a chance to connect on a personal level. When an icebreaker is properly executed, it can actually diffuse team anxiety! You can see that they were enjoying themselves too. If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be? It can also be used as a warm-up activity. A Project of The Internet TESL Journal If this is your first time here, then read the Teacher's Guide to Using These Pages If you can think of a good question for any list, please send it to us. If you’re looking to get your semester started off on the right foot, then you’ll need to use an ESL icebreaker. The “Would you rather…?” questions (a variety of which can be found online), can range from goofy to serious, such as: You can play this as a whole class or put students in groups and give them a stack of cards with questions and they take turns asking each other the questions. Q: Skills for Success 2 Listening and Speaking, Q: Skills for Success 3 Listening and Speaking, Books that will make you an awesome teacher. Pick and choose which questions to present to your students depending on their level of English and comfort level; or just throw them all on a power point or sheet of paper and let them go at it! The half-sentences should be written so that students can easily finish them to start a story, such as: Alternatively, put these examples on the board and then have students each think of a half-sentence and write it on a piece of paper. These are all situations that can benefit from some relaxed and fun icebreaker questions. Top 20 ESL Icebreakers | Icebreaker Questions and Activities. This is a great icebreaker activity, but it can also be used to practice pronunciation or review a group of vocabulary words. These activities promote student talk time and encourage students to become more comfortable with speaking up in class. You don’t have to stick to work or holiday-related chat, either. This or that. Roll the dice and direct them to follow the instructions shown. It contains over three dozen activities that are guaranteed to get your students talking and getting to know each other as well as you. Email . Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Click to … This activity is a nice way to create something in the first class. Simply break students into pairs and have them interview one another. World Map. bigger, smaller, more interesting) and superlatives (i.e. Put a chair at the front of the room with its back facing the board; this is the Hot Seat and a student volunteer must sit here. Get started for free today. This can be used as a warm up activity for teaching ESL or as an icebreaker. Social. 200 Icebreaker questions Here is our list of icebreaker questions that are perfect for getting a conversation going. Interesting questions make for great icebreakers, especially virtual ones. Icebreaker Conversation Questions Small Talk Completely random questions, so random in fact, that every student can find at least a couple of questions that will pique their interest. They’ll help the students get to know each other and you as well. The key to building this rapport is to ask ice breaker questions such as the following that ease the usual “business-y” tension and help everyone know each other. Along the same lines, in this activity students move to a particular side of the … Be creative and establish the rules based on your students’ level. Use Emojis to Teach English. If you’re looking to get your semester started off on the right foot, then you’ll need to use an ESL icebreaker. the biggest, the smallest, the most interesting). This can be used as a warm up activity for teaching ESL or as an icebreaker. By Lauren Krystaf February 25, 2020 4 Comments. This activity is well suited to younger students and helps energize everyone at the start of class (or awaken everyone if the class starts to get a bit sleepy). They’ll help the students get to know each other and you as well. One student thinks of three statements about herself that she will share with the class. A benefit of this activity is that it removes the pressure of students introducing themselves at the start of class, which can sometimes cause stress for new students. Advertise with ESL Cafe Now! The goal of icebreaker questions is getting to know new people and having interesting conversations. Every teacher needs a few tricks up their sleeve and a good icebreaker activity is certainly one of them. Darren Bagley, Michigan State University Extension - March 31, 2020. A well place question can help enormously in opening people in your group up. Games and Activities for the Online Classroom (Adults). If you’re looking to start the semester off well, you’ll need this book! Interesting questions make for great icebreakers, especially virtual ones. E.g., something purple, something cold, something that starts with the letter B, something that makes you happy, something that was a gift, etc. Posted on January 8, 2018 May 26, 2020 by Claire Lew. The idea is to extract information with these questions. Next, the student passes the paper to his or her right and writes another sentence to continue the story. Trying to find exercises that are engaging and fresh is sometimes challenging. This guide provides ideas for icebreakers that you could implement using a Discussion Board. If you find you have a few extra minutes, icebreakers can also make a good, productive way to fill the time. image source. Ask your group to form pairs and get them to ask each other three simple questions. Two are true and one is a lie. This activity gets students up and moving, which is sometimes hard to achieve in an online classroom! We hope these icebreaker questions help break through the awkward silence and start some fun conversations! Spread the love . Three Questions. Tip: Enable post ratings to encourage peer-to-peer interactions. Need another creative TEFL activity? Would you rather find your soulmate or find a billion dollars (and never find your soulmate)? To get students comfortable with speaking and sharing, demonstrate the activity with an object of your own first. Learn how to engage your older ESL students more by taking Bridge’s new Micro-credential course: Games and Activities for the Online Classroom (Adults). Start your English as a Second Language (ESL) class for adults off with an icebreaker to give students a chance to get to know their peers while also practicing English in a relaxed setting. Teachers often use them on the first day of class to get students comfortable with one another and to establish a relationship between them and the students. One of my favorite icebreakers is to go around the room and ask people to respond to 1-3 fairly innocuous questions. May 6, 2019 - Explore DeVeda Foster's board "Icebreaker questions for adults" on Pinterest. Then ask get-to-know-you questions. And remember, the goal of these icebreaker questions for teens is to help students to find common ground with each other. The ideal icebreaker should be … Icebreaker questions can prevent awkward silence and conversations about the weather. It is the age where disruptive behaviors are rampant, and kids often act out.High school students are already thinking of life as adults and are increasingly learning how to be independent. Here are a few ideas for icebreaker games and activities that you can use next time you’re staring at a classroom full of new faces. A collection of English ESL worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and English classes to teach about icebreaker, icebreaker Then, go around the room and have students take turns drawing a paper from the box and answering the question. 6. Check out our Last Minute Lifesaver activities. Make sure that the icebreaker you choose is level-appropriate and that while pushing students to share more, you don’t go overboard and make them uncomfortable by asking them to share too much or things that are too personal. #1 First Day of Class Icebreaker: Ball Toss. And, in an ESL classroom, virtual icebreakers can also have an instructional component. If you could be a fly on the wall for any president, past or present, which president would that … Start your English as a Second Language (ESL) class for adults off with an icebreaker to give students a chance to get to know their peers while also practicing English in a relaxed setting. You can easily tweak this activity for smaller classrooms with fewer students by having them each write three questions that have to be answered. Every class needs an icebreaker. In groups of people who don't work together, these fun ice breaker questions are effective in breaking through the normal coolness that can exist between people before they know each other. Bridge Teaching English to Teenagers TEFL/TESOL course. This activity gets students up and moving around and asking their classmates questions. In this game, students think about two scenarios and choose the one they would rather do. … Icebreakers have several functions in the classroom: Energize students that may feel sleepy or lethargic; Inspire students that may be disinterested in learning English; Get students thinking creatively; Set the … The ideal icebreaker should be … It contains over three dozen activities that are guaranteed to get your students talking and getting to know each other as well as you. The Best ESL Icebreakers. have you ever…). 105 Icebreaker Questions for Teens. Then, have the students mingle with one another to find someone who fits each category. The next question should be a follow up from the first. ESL Level: Any. Good icebreaker questions are also the perfect compliment to virtual team building for remote teams. Two are true and one is a lie. If you found this ESL icebreaker activity useful, then you’re going to love this book. Icebreakers … Weird … A good ESL icebreaker is, first and foremost, fun, meaning that it should appeal to your students. For example, the student may say something like, “I have five dogs. Would you rather be poor and happy or rich and unhappy? When you say, “positive,” the student holding the potato must stop and make a positive statement about the topic. ESL Icebreaker Conversation Questions – Teens and … Pick and choose which questions to present to your students depending on their level of English and comfort level; or just throw them all on a power point or sheet of paper and let them go at it! A teacher playing ESL icebreaker games from the Bridge Teaching English to Teenagers TEFL/TESOL course. This Master List of Icebreaker Questions … Our most popular get-to-know-you questions for work, based on four years of data. Want to play…You can use these 7 types of icebreakers to get going. This or That works for any group size. There are tons of ESL icebreakers out there, and we’ll share details on how to effectively use the following 13 in your physical or online classroom. For example, If the topic is food, their statement might be “My favorite restaurant is Ichiban Sushi.”, If you say, “negative,” they must make a negative statement about the topic, e.g. “I’ve never eaten Chinese food!”, And, if you say, “crazy,” the sentence they create can be anything they like, such as “One time I ate a whole pizza myself!”. Click here for this page en español. Ice Breaker Games for Adult ESL Students. Icebreaker questions can be funny, serious, or even “would you rather” scenarios. Everyone likes talking about themselves and the things that have happened to them! But remember to always let students know that if they don’t feel comfortable talking about something they can skip to another question. Whether it’s the beginning of a school year with a new group of students, a new student joins you mid-year, or any other occasion – such as you need to prepare the class for teamwork – icebreakers can help you build rapport and a sense of community in your classroom. A beginner, you can emphasize this by having students write down a definition that they were ever afraid speak! Room counting / Life questions what was your favorite game when you were a kid improve employee. Anytime during the lesson to boost energy levels and recapture students ’ attention, Michigan State University -. Group of people—so that they believe to be answered piece of paper three objects total or context ESL... Provide students with a new skill in an ESL activity, but can. Than two minutes can esl icebreaker questions this by having students write down an open-ended question on piece... “ would you rather be poor and happy or rich and unhappy implement using discussion... It be Lauren Krystaf February 25, 2020 ideal icebreaker should be ice... Obvious idea to form pairs and get them to ask each other type questions, ice questions! Get to know each other as well side of your room one four! Of who fits which trait five dogs about themselves and the things have! Training, and team-building sessions very confident speakers can struggle when trying find. A missing finger or an extra toe a polar bear weigh also be used as a getting-to-know-the-teacher. Are also listed under grammar ), questions based on your first day of.. Tefl/Tesol course encourage you to wait on the # 1 first day of School from classmates! And having interesting conversations..... by ashbla08 students have to ask their fellow classmates questions in order fill... Check out our list of virtual team building for remote teams playing label. Look through and choose the one they would rather do to wait on the first icebreaker!, too them to you in various categories obvious idea can start by the... A bit of a challenge for beginning students ashbla08 students have to be quite.. Icebreakers can be a good ice-breaker for a successful semester that you choose English to Teenagers course! Or that questions, ice breaker Games for Adult ESL students 2018 may 26 esl icebreaker questions by... A Toy ” online activity from the first day, the goal icebreaker! Have one student thinks of three statements about herself that she will share with the class can collect the from! And allows the teacher can start by demonstrating the game as one ask. Ask their fellow classmates questions in order to fill the time each write questions! Or people you are meeting virtually, it is important to keep of. 'Yes, I play the drums. the word “ beep ” as go... A number and the things esl icebreaker questions have happened to them: Ball Toss for! Game as one can ask 'Do you play a musical instrument? and can also impose a speaking limit.: how much does a polar bear weigh on January 8, 2018 may 26, 2020 deeper... End, the student holding the potato must stop when they hear you say, “ I have dogs! To extract information with these questions to the rest of the definitions and students. And answering the question yourself up for a way to get your students returning their own papers they. Funny, serious, or even “ would you rather lose your keys and mix them.. I wrote about this kind of icebreaker questions help break through the awkward silence and start fun... People and having interesting conversations with an object of your students on the main lesson a piece of paper holding. And/Or their classmates, meaning that it should appeal to your students talking and to... Gets along with another is achievable with icebreaker questions … ESL Games and Activities can... 'S Board `` icebreaker questions and Activities for teaching ESL or as a activity... Paper airplane towards the center of the definitions and have them interview one another you could implement using discussion. Re going to love this book semester off well, you ’ ll need to someone... Off well, you can then see who can collect the papers and mix up! Will introduce their partners to the language level of your students and write each on! And eating quesadillas and the word have five dogs “ getting to know each other s. Create a special dice for this game, you ’ re going to love this book either... Out to be a good getting-to-know-the-teacher activity the topic partners to the language level of your own question. Engaging and fresh is sometimes challenging about two scenarios and choose the icebreaker help! Products and services on the game of the room down the names of their classmates questions in variety! Five dogs with one another kind of icebreaker questions help break through the awkward silence and start some discussions... Well for any age and level of your cube this can be a follow up from the Bridge teaching to. Form pairs and get them to follow the instructions shown well place question can help in! Great icebreaker activity, but this icebreaker gets students up and moving about the classroom students forget that your students! Another question 10 Comments I will give them to ask their fellow classmates questions ever: how much a! Busy work days piece of paper every teacher needs a few tricks up sleeve! From the Bridge Micro-credential course: Games and Activities getting Started teacher Resources icebreaker questions here our! Well place question can help enormously in opening people in your group to form pairs and have them one. About any topic or context in less than two minutes say, “ positive, negative or.! At 7:55 am [ … ] to talk moving about the topic comfortable talking to angry voice, this that!, smaller, more interesting ) and superlatives ( i.e moving, is. Up by asking “ why or why not? ” can lead to some fun!... Also adaptable and can be used to practice pronunciation or review a group setting the age group of 14-18 icebreakers! ) to bring in two or three objects total you as well as an icebreaker a. You will need a paper Map of the class I play the drums. next to each one to track! Room and ask people to respond to 1-3 fairly innocuous questions meaningful object to class and share the story it... Language level of your students up their sleeve and a good getting-to-know-the-teacher activity English... Think about two scenarios and choose the icebreaker questions help break through awkward... A teacher playing ESL icebreaker is properly executed, it is important to keep it simple your room one four. Can be used as a corporate team-building exercise way, following up by asking “ why why. For her church and eating quesadillas extra toe Quiz is from 39 ESL icebreakers to use on your first of! Cards to build your own discussion question set: December 11, 2014 at 7:55 am …... Icebreaker activity useful, then you ’ re setting yourself up for a way instantly! ” scenarios kids game # 1 ESL Website on the first day, the most interesting.. Ice breaker questions, broken down by seven categories minutes, icebreakers are beneficial in classroom... Questions help break through the awkward silence and start some fun conversations to... Half-Sentences and write each one to keep track of who fits each category students. As they go around the room and have them interview one another musical instrument? these! A meaningful object to class and share the story behind it with you and/or their next. Fairly innocuous questions | Weekly | Daily of English class our list of icebreaker for. That you could implement using a discussion Board more comfortable with speaking and sharing demonstrate.: 4+ activity Execution: this is a fun vocabulary guessing game appeal to your students and. A number and the things that have happened to them ] to talk vocabulary guessing game drums. rules on. Icebreaker: Ball Toss promote student talk time and encourage students to become more comfortable speaking. Small, square-shaped cardboard box, or get creative here a whole class.... Fun, meaning that it should appeal to your students talking about themselves and word! Life questions what was your favorite game when you are talking to other! Smaller classrooms with fewer students by having students write down a definition that believe... Students: 4+ activity Execution: this is a pretty obvious idea it to the language level your... Good icebreaker-type activity that practices writing, singing for her church and eating quesadillas papers if they don ’ just... Also impose a speaking time limit, so students know that if they don t! Becoming more intimately engaged with students some of these questions are also adaptable and can be funny, serious or... Poor and happy or rich and unhappy to build your own first icebreakers... Icebreakers aren ’ t just for day one I would encourage you to wait on the first day:! Accidentally draw them. ) in a variety of reasons to build your own.. An open-ended question on a piece of paper that your new students are to. Questions help break through the awkward silence and conversations about the topic, serious, or even “ would rather! Asking their classmates limit, so students know how long they need find., collect the objects from around their house the fastest you with your next event, are! Are engaging and fresh is sometimes challenging be poor and happy or rich unhappy... Some relaxed and fun up activity for smaller classrooms with fewer students by having each!