Tips for conversational group/Icebreakers needed!

[NewEsolTutor]

Hi all,

I am beginning to teach a ESOL conversational group. Does anyone have any experience on running this type of course as i'm not sure how structured it should be? Also, any icebreakers for the first lessons would be much appreciated :)

Thanks

[Lucy]

What age group are they? and do you have an idea of the level?

Lucy

[NewEsolTutor]

Hi,

Thank you for replying. Its the first lesson so at this point I just know they will be adults and of mixed ability, which I know will be tricky!

[Lucy]

You could try this idea:

http://www.tefl.net/esl-lesson-plans/es ... obingo.htm

It can be adapted to different levels.

[becki]

A conversation group is usually pretty informal. The main goal is just to get the students to speak English. I like to put the responsibility on the students to come up with the topics for class. To do this, tell the students to research something in English and report about it in the next class. This puts the pressure off you to come up with the topics for each lesson and it gets them speaking.

For the first class, start off with icebreaker so everyone can get to know each other. I've got a bunch on my website, if you want to check them out.

[artsy]

This is a little late, but if someone finds it here is a playlist of icebreakers on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... KV5acgSpr-

[Lola212]

The first lesson is the hardest since no one knows the other. I usually start with each one introducing themselves and telling all a little bit of themselves and possibly their families. Or they could talk about their job or an interesting trip they took. This will be familiar to them and also bring them back to the good time they had and they will love sharing that.

[andrewberlin]

I would have them introduce themselves and talk about what they are hoping to get from the course, why they are there, etc. Then I would definitely give them some kind of getting to know each other activity where they get to know at least one other student and report back what they find out.

Some activities I use (from my own site):
http://eslgames.com/first-lesson-interv ... r-student/
http://eslgames.com/opinion+cards
http://eslgames.com/esl-conversation-questions (namely, the getting to know each other questions)

Sometimes I throw in a quick, general grammar test just to see if there are any gaping holes in their knowledge.