[STCrowley]

Hey, guys. . .

I've run up against a problem. I teach a group of adults at eight in the morning and they're pretty tired. I can understand that. In a regular counseling session ("What can I do better?"), they've said that they like it when the lessons begins with a 'game' or 'silly activity.'

And, of course, I've been trying to find new things to do each day. I can repeat a few classics, but, well. . . I'm running out of ideas. They aren't big on heave grammar right away, just a game to get them back into thinking in English. (If I ask them how the week was, they say 'Too much work. . .' They're game to laugh, but small talk isn't their strength.)

What kind of activities do you use in the classroom?
-Toby

[teachingenglishmadeeasy]

Hi there,

You could try two truths and a lie. Have students write down two truths about themselves and a lie. Once they have done so, have each student stand up, go to the front of the classroom, and read off their 3 statements. Finally, have the other students guess which ones are false and which ones are true. Option - you could then discuss the truth about the person in class for a few minutes.

This game works well when looking for an ice-breaker as it almost always changes, in other words, the outcome isn't always the same every time you play the game.

I hope this helps!!!!
Ralph

[MelissaC]

Hello Toby!
God knows how many times I've run into this problem before. There are MANY different activities and games one can play for warm-up. What Ralph suggested was perfect! Another SIMPLE game is, say, writing the worlds longest word on the board and asking the students what they think it might mean. You could also write a few tongue twisters down and have the students read them. Adults in groups LOVE the latter.
What I've found works best is having an open discussion about the latest stories in the news. I usually bring in that mornings news, or the one from yesterday which gives me more prep. time, copy a small article for the students, then have them read it. It gives the students a chance to wake up, learn new words, and adults ALWAYS want to know the latest news. The love to have the chance to speak with a native about it.
Good luck!
Melissa

[STCrowley]

These were two great suggestions and I'm going to be trying them this week. I wanted to add another that I've found: I've been adapting other games I know (meaning, mainly, drinking games) and one that DIDN'T work was requiring students to answer questions with a question: "What time is it?" "Do you have a watch?" "Where did I put it?" "Where did you have it last?" . . . The idea is that you have to do it in a circle and the first person who answers with a statement 'loses.' (It's from the drinking game 'Kings,' you might recognize it.)

My students aren't great at forming questions, and the 'game' didn't go over well. (It became 'practice,' which we all know isn't fun. Also, I think it required too much thinking on their feet for early in the morning.)

A game that DID work was 'categories.' Basically, one student names a category and the others have to name things in the category without using a dictionary. It's simple, makes them review things they know, and they're allowed to help each other if they do it in English.

Also, I've been able to use the categories game to transition to 'class time:' I'll name the last category ('Things you can do somewhere hot') and that gets them talking about the subject of the day's lesson.

Any more ideas?

[avari20]

One idea that works with my students is the Last Letter Game. I'm sure just about everyone has used this, but on the off chance that you haven't, I thought I would suggest it. You start by naming a word. Student 1 has to think of a word that begins with the last letter of the word you said. They have a five second time limit. Once they've named the new word, the next student takes the last letter of Student 1's word and suggests his own word...So on and so forth. The game usually goes very fast, and it can get some laughs if someone throws out a really unusual word they know. It's great for review and as a listening exercise.

[STCrowley]

Do you know what? I knew that game but I never thought to use it with the group I was talking about. That's a great idea. Thanks.

[Pix]

Hi there,

And why not continue to make the lesson buzz all the way through... I mean why limit yourself to just an icebreaker?

Check out my free game samples for adults and teens here:

ESL Games and Activities for adults

You'll have lots of ideas for ice breakers but also more substantial activities to help with genuine speaking practise as opposed to rather artificial simulations which can often arise in the language classroom.

I wanted to add to Melissa's comment about using the news - absolutely great idea, but with one proviso to watch out for serious problems if you have a multicultural class, such as a class of ESL immigrants - there can be v. poignant issues in the news and someone could dissolve into tears on you...

Then re the drinking game idea fro ST Crowley- I love that game and I think it would work for advanced students because it makes even a native speaker have to think hard, and the native speaker has all the question forms and vocab at his or her finger tips.

Enjoy!
Shelley