The Power of Icebreakers

 

The Power of Icebreakers – Starting Strong in Any English Class

Hi friends! Let’s be real—walking into a new classroom full of students can be a little intimidating. You want them to feel comfortable, but you also don’t want that awkward silence where everyone’s staring at their shoes like the floor is suddenly super interesting. That’s where icebreakers come in.

Icebreakers aren’t just “fun little games”—they’re actually powerful tools for setting the tone of your class. They help students get to know each other, loosen up, and start talking in English without the pressure of being “perfect.” It’s like warming up before a workout… except less sweaty (hopefully).

Here are two of my favorites:

• Two Truths and a Lie: Each student says three things about themselves, and the group guesses which one is the lie. It’s fun, it gets people laughing, and it practices speaking skills. Pro tip: you’ll be surprised how many students secretly have five cats or can juggle.

• Find Someone Who…: Give students a bingo-style sheet with prompts like “Find someone who has a pet” or “Find someone who loves pizza.” They have to walk around asking questions in English to fill it in. By the end, they’re talking, moving, and bonding without even realizing it.

The key is to keep it simple, fast, and fun. When students feel relaxed, they’re way more likely to engage in the rest of the lesson. Icebreakers = instant confidence booster. Definitely a tool worth keeping in your toolbox. And hey, it beats that painful silence any day.

Here's a fun little video (from a fellow English teacher ;) to give you guys some more ideas for Icebreakers!