Fun Icebreaker Activities to use in an EFL classroom: Part 2
Welcome back, educators! If you loved the creative spark of my first blog post, Fun Icebreaker Activities for the EFL Classroom, you’re in for a treat with this continuation. In Part 2, I’m sharing three more interactive and engaging icebreaker activities designed to foster connection, spark laughter, and build a vibrant classroom community for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners.
Looking for even more inspiration? There are countless icebreaker activities available online to suit any classroom dynamic. For a curated list of creative ideas, check out this fantastic resource to expand your toolkit.
In this post, I’m excited to dive into Name Games, Tell Me the Last Time, and Picture Stories—three dynamic activities guaranteed to break the ice and set a positive tone for your classroom. Let’s jump right in!
Fun Icebreaker Activities
1. Name Games
Name Game Activities
Interactive Classroom Activity
What is a Name Game?
A classroom activity designed to help students learn names in a fun, interactive way. It usually involves repetition, memory, and sometimes actions or adjectives. It builds confidence, teamwork, and a friendly atmosphere.
Benefits
- Builds confidence in speaking
- Reduces shyness in new groups
- Helps teachers and students remember names quickly
- Creates a playful, engaging start to lessons
Game 1: Name + Action
How to Play:
Each student says their name and does an action. Example: “I’m Ahmed” (makes a clapping gesture).
The next student repeats the first name + action and adds their own. The chain continues around the circle.
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Game 2: Adjective + Name
How to Play:
Each student chooses an adjective that starts with the same sound as their name OR the first letter of their name.
Examples: “Active Ahmed”, “Brave Bandar”, “Creative Khalid”, “Kind Khalid”
Everyone repeats the adjectives + names aloud. Helps memory because of the sound connection.
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Game 3: Name Chain
How to Play:
The first student says: “My name is Turki.”
The second says: “His name is Turki, and my name is Saud.”
The third says: “His name is Turki, his name is Saud, and my name is Majed.”
By the last student, the whole group has been repeated many times.
Student 1 (First)
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4 (Last)
2. Tell Me the Last Time
Tell Me About the Last Time…
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- Who were you with when this happened?
- How long did you laugh for?
- Do you still find it funny when you think about it?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How much did it cost?
- Did you save up for it or buy it impulsively?
- Do you regret the purchase or are you happy with it?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How did you apologize?
- Did they accept your apology?
- How did you feel before and after apologizing?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- What motivated you to try it?
- Would you do it again?
- What did you learn from the experience?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How long was your vacation?
- What was the highlight of your trip?
- Would you recommend it to others?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- What genre was it?
- How long did it take you to finish it?
- Would you read other books by the same author?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- What made you so angry?
- How did you handle your anger?
- Did you resolve the situation?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How late were you?
- What caused the delay?
- How did your boss react?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How long did you talk?
- What did you talk about?
- Do you usually talk for that long on the phone?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- Who did you go with?
- What genre was the movie?
- Would you recommend it to others?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How long did you exercise for?
- How did you feel afterward?
- Do you exercise regularly?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- Who prepared the meal?
- What made it so special?
- Would you go back to that place?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- How long had you been looking forward to it?
- Did it meet your expectations?
- How did you express your excitement?
Tell me about the last time you…
Follow-up Questions:
- Why did they need help?
- How did you feel about helping them?
- Did they thank you?
3. Picture Stories
Story Creator
Create amazing stories with your pictures!
How to Use This Story Creator:
- • Look at each picture carefully and notice the characters’ faces and expressions
- • Write a story for each picture in the text box below it
- • You can write separate stories or connect them all into one big story
- • Use your imagination and have fun!
Real Life Adventure Stories
Picture 1: Meeting New Friends
Picture 2: A Walk with Flowers
Picture 3: Running Together
Picture 4: In the Beautiful Park
Picture 5: Sharing the Beauty
Character Story Sequence – Follow Their Journey!
Story Template Guide
Look at the character faces and expressions in each scene. Notice how their relationship develops!
Scene 1: First Meeting
Scene 2: Sharing Lunch
Scene 3: Walking Together
Scene 4: Playing Together
Scene 5: A Challenge
Scene 6: Happy Ending
Write Your Complete Story
Now combine all your ideas into one amazing story! You can connect the real photos with the character sequence, or write separate complete stories.
Great job creating your stories! Remember, every picture tells a story – you just need to imagine it!
Tip: Use the browser’s print function to save your stories as PDF!
