Starting your first day as a Language Assistant in Spain can feel a bit… chaotic. New school, new students, new schedule, and probably a little jet lag. But don’t worry, we’re here to help and, even if we can’t teleport to share ideas with you in person, we can give you tools and games that make things way easier. In this case, we’ve selected our favorite Icebreakers for Day 1!
With these, you will get your students talking in English, and make you look like a classroom master from the very beginning. Discover three icebreakers that never fail to get kids moving, laughing, and actually using English.
Blobs and lines
Students get moving, chatting, and figuring out what they have in common. Give them a prompt and let them sort themselves into lines or groups. Some ideas:
- Line up by birthday from earliest to latest
- Group up how many siblings they have
- Find classmates with the same allergies
- Group by favorite season
You can adapt it according to the grade they are in. Fast, fun and your students will already be talking before you know it!
Bring an object to class
Another great selection for our Icebreakers for Day 1 list is this one. Ask your students to bring something small that means a lot to them. They show it to the class without explaining, and everyone asks questions to guess its story. Imagine a student bringing a tiny, battered soccer ball keychain. Imagine, for example, questions like:
- Do you use it every day?
- Is it from a special person?
- Does it give you superpowers
This activity will make for some hilarious moments and lots of English practice!
Guess who
Each student writes a couple of unique facts about themselves on paper anonymously. Crumple the papers, toss them into a pile, and have students pick one at random. They read the facts aloud and try to guess who they belong to. Bonus points for creativity! Example:
- I have a pet turtle
- I love eating pizza
This game is chaotic, fun, and perfect for getting everyone laughing while practicing English!
Save these Icebreakers for Day 1 and you’ll kickstart your experience on the right foot
These icebreakers also build confidence, foster conversation, and make your classroom feel like a welcoming, fun space. Just a few minutes at the start of class can turn nervous students into social butterflies!
Oh! And here are some additional tips for your classes:
- Model the activity first. Students will copy your energy!
- Keep it positive. Even awkward attempts at English are gold!
- Adapt to class size and age. You know your students better than anyone!
- Use these games as a bridge to later lessons or vocabulary practice.
Got other icebreaker favorites for Spanish classrooms? Drop your ideas—we’re always looking for new ways to make lessons fun!