Worksheet 1

Icebreakers
Read the text and complete the gaps using the definitions below:

Starting a new class with an entire group of new students can be a stressful experience for
both teachers and students. Teachers may feel 1 a __________________ speaking in front
of a group of new faces who may appear to be 2 j _________________. Students also feel
nervous during a first class as they may not have spoken English for a very long time or
possess a 3 l __________________ knowledge of it. This often creates a series of
confidence 4 i __________________ with students who fear making a mistake. The first
class should be to promote a positive learning environment, where using the target
language, whether right or wrong, will be 5 b __________________ for the students. This is
often one of the biggest 6 c __________________ faced by ESL teachers.

Additionally, the first lesson is also a perfect opportunity to build a

7
r __________________ with the students. By developing a strong connection with
students, teachers set a 8 c __________________ learning environment that is comfortable
for both, the teacher and the students. The first class should also be used to evaluate the
level, needs and wants of the students, which can be done through a number of 9 m
__________________ and productive activities.

As the saying goes, ‘first impressions last’, especially walking into a class full of new faces.

All you need to do is to arm your students with the confidence to succeed, have the
confidence to espress themselves and walk away from the class having learnt something
new in constructive and 10 e __________________ atmosphere.

Source: Your First Lesson by Zakhareuski, Andrei; Five Essential Icebreakers that
Guarantee Success.

1. embarrassed or nervous
2. too quick to criticize people
3. small in amount or number
4. problem
5. helpful, useful or good
6. something that needs mental/ physical effort in order to be done successfully
7. a good understanding of someone and an ability to communicate well with them
8. willing to help
9. purposeful, significant
10. giving joy or pleasure
 Worksheet 2
Icebreakers help
Ice breakers help the teacher to…
1. speak to everyone at least once
2. learn students’ names
3. start to learn some personal information about students.
4. start to learn something of their individual characters
5. start to feel a little more comfortable

Ice breakers help the student to…

1. speak to a number of other students in the class
2. learn some people’s names and a little about them
3. take part in an interesting / involving activity
4. start to find ways of working of co-operatively with others
5. learn and use some English
6. hear and respond to people speaking English
7. start to feel more comfortable in their class
 Worksheet 3
Pros and cons
Three teachers were asked to describe some icebreakers they use. Read
what they said and find the advantages and disadvantages of those
icebreakers.

When I walk into a class for the first time, instead of introducing myself,
I draw a big question mark on the board and get the students to make
guesses and speculations about who and what I am. I sometimes tell
them that I normally introduce myself, but I’m feeling a Little tired and
that today they must do the job. I let the students ask whatever comes
to their minds with little preparation. They work in pairs and groups and
write down questions they want to ask.

With elementary levels, in which students are not confident enough to produce
complete sentences and ask questions with very little preparation. I usually play
a quick introductory game. The students stand up and make a circle in the
middle of the room. I give them a topic, for example, ‘the beach’, and every
student must say a word associated with the topic, for example, ‘sand’, ‘sea’,
etc. If the students gives an answer that is not associated with the topic or
repeats a word, they must sit down. The game continues until one person is left
standing, who is the winner.

‘Group therapy’ is a fun icebreaker for teenagers and adults. I ask

students to sit in a circle (in the style of Anonymous Alcoholics
meeting) and introduce themselves, ‘My name is… and I’m…’. But
instead of finishing with ‘…and I’m an alcoholic’, they finish with a
problema they have learning English, such as using articles correctly
or conjugating verbs. They should then ask for tips and tricks from
their classmates. This is a great first-day activity because it is a
not-very-sneaky way for me to get an idea of what áreas of language
the students find complicated, which I can use in my lesson planning.
 Worksheet 4
Asking questions for a minute
 Worksheet 5
You in pictures
 Worksheet 6
Asking questions for a minute