ESL Icebreaker: Six Degrees of Separation
Six Degrees of Separation is a fun way to start with a first class. It’s very typical that we meet someone who knows someone we know. The object of this game is to see how small the world really is. In this activity, students work in pairs, first they introduce themselves to each other. Then the make a list of things that they have in common with each other. This activity is a great icebreaker for the first lesson.
Activity time: 15 – 20 minutes (approx)
Skills Practiced: Speaking
Level: Teens and Adults. Lower Intermediate +
1. First, each student should find a partner and introduce themselves to each other.
2. Next, each pair should make a list of 5 – 10 things that they have in common with each other. Give students some examples of things they could check. For example:
(Encourage students to add their own ideas to the list) 3. Once they have completed their first list, they must find someone else in the room and create another list.
4. Students continue to create new lists until the time is up or they have spoken to all the students in the class.
5. The winner is the first person to complete the task or the students with the most connections.
6. Enjoy and have fun!
Activity time: 15 – 20 minutes (approx)
Skills Practiced: Speaking
Level: Teens and Adults. Lower Intermediate +
Method
1. First, each student should find a partner and introduce themselves to each other.2. Next, each pair should make a list of 5 – 10 things that they have in common with each other. Give students some examples of things they could check. For example:
- Where they went to school
- What year they were born
- What food they like
- What sports they like
- What countries they have visited
- How many brothers and sisters they have
- Where did they grow up
(Encourage students to add their own ideas to the list) 3. Once they have completed their first list, they must find someone else in the room and create another list.
4. Students continue to create new lists until the time is up or they have spoken to all the students in the class.
5. The winner is the first person to complete the task or the students with the most connections.
6. Enjoy and have fun!
More First Class ESL Icebreakers
Discover more first class activities for kids, teens and adults.
Deserted Island – Students imagine they are trapped on a desert island. They must think of five things that they would take with them if they lived on a deserted island.
First Class Scavenger Hunt – A fun and energetic first class icebreaker that works well with young learners and teens. In this activity each student is given a handout. On the handout there are a number of statements. Students must go around the classroom asking other students if they have ever done the things listed.
Tell Us About Yourself – In Tell Us About Yourself, the teacher passes around a bag of sweets. The teacher tells the students to take as many sweets as they want but not to eat them just yet. Once all the students have a sweet, the students first count how many sweets they have and tell the teacher.
Human Spelling – In this activity, students are put into teams and given a clue. First they must work out what word the clue is and then spell the word using only their bodies.
Dead or Alive – A simple first class speaking activity for teens and adults.
Numbers in my Life – A simple first class activity where students speak about important numbers in their lives.
5 First Day Activities – Five first class activities for young learners, teens and adults.
ESL Vocabulary Fortunes – an online game for teens and adults that is a great way to practice vocabulary on many topics.
ESL Creativity Activity – a simple creativity activity to get students thinking
Find more first class icebreakers for all levels here.
Find new games every week on our YouTube channel
Deserted Island – Students imagine they are trapped on a desert island. They must think of five things that they would take with them if they lived on a deserted island.
First Class Scavenger Hunt – A fun and energetic first class icebreaker that works well with young learners and teens. In this activity each student is given a handout. On the handout there are a number of statements. Students must go around the classroom asking other students if they have ever done the things listed.
Tell Us About Yourself – In Tell Us About Yourself, the teacher passes around a bag of sweets. The teacher tells the students to take as many sweets as they want but not to eat them just yet. Once all the students have a sweet, the students first count how many sweets they have and tell the teacher.
Human Spelling – In this activity, students are put into teams and given a clue. First they must work out what word the clue is and then spell the word using only their bodies.
Dead or Alive – A simple first class speaking activity for teens and adults.
Numbers in my Life – A simple first class activity where students speak about important numbers in their lives.
5 First Day Activities – Five first class activities for young learners, teens and adults.
ESL Vocabulary Fortunes – an online game for teens and adults that is a great way to practice vocabulary on many topics.
ESL Creativity Activity – a simple creativity activity to get students thinking
Find more first class icebreakers for all levels here.
Find new games every week on our YouTube channel