Skip to main content

25 Icebreaking Activities for English Classes.

 

Starting a new English class can be daunting for students and teachers alike. Icebreaking activities help set a positive tone, foster interaction, and encourage communication in English from the very first lesson. Whether you’re teaching young learners, teenagers, or adults, these 25 engaging icebreakers will help your students feel comfortable and ready to learn.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

Each student writes down two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the class guesses which one is the lie. This is a fun way to get students talking while practicing sentence structures and vocabulary.

Why it works: Encourages speaking, creativity, and critical thinking.

2. Find Someone Who…

Prepare a worksheet with prompts like “Find someone who has a pet” or “Find someone who speaks two languages.” Students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates questions to find someone who matches each statement.

Why it works: Encourages movement, interaction, and question formation.

3. Would You Rather?

Ask students a series of "Would you rather?" questions (e.g., “Would you rather live in a city or the countryside?”). Students discuss their choices in pairs or small groups.

Why it works: Promotes conversation, critical thinking, and decision-making.

4. The Alphabet Name Game

Students introduce themselves by saying their name and a word that starts with the same letter (e.g., “I’m Maria, and I like mangoes”). The next student repeats the previous names before adding their own.

Why it works: Reinforces memory, builds vocabulary, and adds a fun challenge.

5. Interview a Partner

Students pair up and interview each other using a set of pre-prepared questions (e.g., “What’s your favorite hobby?”). Then, they introduce their partner to the class.

Why it works: Develops listening and speaking skills while encouraging student interaction.

6. Name Chain

The first student says their name. The next student repeats the previous name and adds their own. This continues around the class, with each student trying to remember all the names before adding theirs.

Why it works: Helps with name retention and memory skills.

7. Word Association

The teacher says a word (e.g., “beach”), and the first student says a related word (e.g., “sand”). The next student continues the chain. If a student hesitates too long, they’re out.

Why it works: Improves vocabulary and quick thinking.

8. Speed Chatting

Students pair up and talk about a specific topic (e.g., “your favorite movie”) for one minute. Then, they switch partners and repeat with a new topic.

Why it works: Encourages fast-paced speaking practice and gets students comfortable with conversation.

9. Mingle Bingo

Create bingo cards with different personal facts (e.g., “Has visited another country” or “Plays a musical instrument”). Students walk around the room and find classmates who match the descriptions.

Why it works: Encourages movement, interaction, and speaking.

10. Object Storytelling

Bring in a bag of random objects (e.g., a toy, a key, a book). Each student picks one and makes up a short story about it.

Why it works: Encourages creativity and storytelling in English.

11. Sentence Starters

Give students half-finished sentences (e.g., “If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…”). They complete them and share with the class.

Why it works: Promotes creativity and sentence structure practice.

12. Human Bingo

Each student gets a bingo card with personal statements (e.g., “Has a birthday in December”). They walk around asking classmates questions to complete their card.

Why it works: Encourages interaction and question formation.

13. Emoji Introductions

Students choose three emojis that represent them and explain why.

Why it works: Encourages creative expression and descriptive language.

14. Guess the Teacher

The teacher writes 3-5 interesting facts about themselves on the board. Students work in groups to guess which are true or false.

Why it works: Builds rapport and encourages critical thinking.

15. Pictionary Introductions

Students draw something about themselves on the board (e.g., a hobby, a pet) while classmates guess what it is.

Why it works: Makes introductions visual and fun.

16. Memory Chain

Each student says their name and a hobby. The next student repeats the previous ones before adding their own.

Why it works: Reinforces memory and active listening.

17. The Adjective Name Game

Each student chooses an adjective that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g., “Happy Hannah”). They introduce themselves using the adjective.

Why it works: Enhances vocabulary and creativity.

18. Stand Up If…

The teacher calls out statements (e.g., “Stand up if you like chocolate”). Students who agree stand up.

Why it works: Encourages movement and helps students find common interests.

19. The Story Circle

One student starts a story with one sentence. Each student adds another sentence to continue the story.

Why it works: Encourages teamwork and storytelling skills.

20. Object in My Pocket

Students bring a small object from home and describe it to the class.

Why it works: Encourages descriptive language and personal expression.

21. Mystery Bag

Fill a bag with random objects. Students pick one and create a short story about it.

Why it works: Sparks creativity and speaking skills.

22. What’s in a Name?

Students explain the meaning or origin of their name (if they know it) and what they like about it.

Why it works: Encourages cultural exchange and personal expression.

23. The Opinion Line

Label one side of the room “Agree” and the other “Disagree.” Read statements, and students move to the side that matches their opinion.

Why it works: Encourages critical thinking and discussion.

24. Would You Rather Relay

Students take turns answering “Would you rather?” questions while standing in a line.

Why it works: Encourages group participation and speaking fluency.

25. The Selfie Introduction

Students draw a simple “selfie” and write 3-5 things about themselves. They present their “selfie” to the class.

Why it works: Combines creativity with language practice.

Using icebreaking activities in your English class helps create a welcoming and engaging environment. These activities encourage students to speak, listen, and interact in a fun way while building confidence in their English skills. Try a few of these and watch your class come alive!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The 50 Most Important Idioms for Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English.

  Due to the complexities of English, nobody, native or second language learner can honestly brag about having a proficient level of the language without a solid knowledge of Idioms.  Every day, in almost every conversation, native speakers will use idioms more than someone who is new to the language, simply because they are more familiar with them and know the context in which they should be used. Therefore, this means that when you, the second language learner uses an idiom in the correct context, that you have a more proficient level of English and therefore you sound more like a native speaker. Below is a list of 50 of the most important general idioms necessary for traveling the B2 to C2 language learning journey. With these idioms, you will be able to listen and speak more like a native speaker, therefore, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively. Study tips for how to learn idioms. The 60 most important phrasal verbs for achieving a B2 to C2 level of English. I...

11 Strategies For Achieving and Maintaining a B2 to C2 Level of English

  As an Advanced Level English Teacher, one of the most common questions that I am asked by students is how to maintain, and/or improve their level of proficiency in the language. Today, more than at any other period in history, a single language has solidified itself into a position of undeniable relevance in our ever-changing globalized world. Be it for matters relating to government, commerce, education, or for the resolution of global issues, English has taken the lead in almost every facet of life and international affairs. This phenomenon, which has developed progressively over many years, has been responsible for a transformation in the way that English as a second language is now perceived in most parts of the world. Governments have found the necessity to embrace English on all levels, schools have attached new importance to its teaching, new institutes continue to spring up on almost a daily basis and universities are now making it a mandatory part of a student's graduati...

The 100 Essential Metaphoric Expressions To Know.

  What is a Metaphor? Metaphor (Etymology: ‘ Metaphora ’ in Greek meaning “to transfer”) is an interesting way to emphasize and map certain descriptive qualities of two terms. They come under the branch of figures of speech in literature and poetry. Metaphors create a beautiful blend between concepts, to form comparisons between a particular behavior, concept or a feeling with something impractical or unrelated to it. The evolution of language has witnessed many metaphorical descriptions turn into a conventional language used today. However, metaphors can be used in abstract forms also. The best examples of abstract metaphors are seen in movies like the Oscar-winner Parasite where the characters are attributed to the quality of leaching off wealth. ADVANED ENGLISH: The Essentail Similies For Achieving a B2 to C2 Level of English Types of Metaphors Here are a few common types of metaphors: Implied  Metaphor An implied metaphor compares two things without naming one of the thing...