# Using Warmers and Icebreakers Well

## Pick by purpose

| Purpose | When | Good choices | Avoid |
|---------|------|--------------|-------|
| Icebreaker | First lessons, new members, after a break | Names, things in common, interviews | Deep personal disclosure |
| Energiser | After lunch, long lessons, tired evening classes | Movement, races, quick-fire | Long setup |
| Settler | Lively class, after break, young learners | Quiet pair work, reordering, odd one out | Shouting games |
| Review | Start of a lesson that builds on the last one | Recycling last lesson's words and structures | New language |
| Lead-in | Introducing today's topic or text | Picture prediction, mystery word, personal question | Giving away the answers to today's tasks |

A warmer earns its place when it either builds the group, changes the energy, or does language work. The best
do two at once: a review game that also wakes learners up.

## Timing

- 5-10 minutes in a 60-minute lesson; up to 15 in a first lesson.
- Stop while it is still fun. A warmer that runs 20 minutes has become the lesson.
- Latecomers: choose a warmer they can join halfway (pair work, not a chain).

## First lessons

1. Learn names fast: name tents, name chains, a seating plan you fill in as they speak.
2. Lower anxiety: pair work before speaking to the whole class.
3. Show the class how it will work: English as the classroom language, pairs and groups, mistakes are normal.
4. Gather information: a mini needs survey (why are you learning English? what is hardest?) doubles as an
   icebreaker.

## Cultural and personal sensitivity

- Do not force personal topics: family, home country, religion, relationships, money and age can be painful
  (refugee, bereaved or adult learners). Give a "pass" option or let learners invent answers.
- Physical contact (ball throwing, touching games) is not acceptable everywhere; check the context.
- Movement games need a room that allows it and learners who can move; have a seated version.
- Competition can upset some groups: use team scores, not individual losers.

## Online

- Use the chat for simultaneous answers ("type, but don't press enter until I say go").
- Polls and reactions replace moving around the room.
- Breakout rooms for pairs need clear instructions pasted in the chat.
- Cameras-off learners: give a role that works by voice or chat.

## Linking to the lesson

| Lesson | Warmer that leads in |
|--------|----------------------|
| Reading about a city | Picture prediction with a photo of the city |
| Present perfect for experiences | Find someone who has... (3-4 prompts only) |
| Job interview skills | Would you rather (two jobs) |
| Review of food vocabulary | Alphabet race on food |

## Adapting a warmer

- Lower level: give a model and sentence frames on the board; fewer items.
- Higher level: add a justification ("...and explain why"); add a follow-up question rule.
- Larger class: groups of 4-6 run it in parallel.
- Smaller class or 1-to-1: teacher plays; turn it into a race against the clock.