In this short article I’m going to explore the advantages of using icebreakers in the classroom.

Key words: icebreakers, motivation, creativity, link

ICEBREAKERS: IMPORTANT TOOL OR A WASTE OF TIME?

EXPERIENCING ICEBREAKERS

After many years working as a teacher, I got to the conclusion that icebreakers are a powerful resource to arouse our students’ interest in taking part of the class or, even coming to classes.

I liked to use them mostly with my groups that started classes after lunch because at this time in Brazil, people feel a little sleepy. So, the icebreakers helped me make my students more attentive and more interest in what all this stuff was about. Besides, I think it’s funny to start our classes (of course, when we have plenty of time to do it) with a game, a song or any other activity that can make our students practice English in a very comfortable atmosphere and, sometimes without realizing that the class has already started. 

CHOOSING AN ICEBREAKER AND CREATING MOTIVATION

It’s a good idea to use icebreakers that can be connected to the topics that must be taught in that class, so there’ll be a link between the icebreaker and the "real" class. In this way the class will be motivating, pleasant, interesting and funny for both teacher and students.

As Paulo Freire, a very famous Brazilian educator, said: "Nobody motivates no one, but nobody gets motivated by himself." I can add that we can use the icebreakers to create motivation around the class and the group can get motivated as a whole.

CONCLUSION

So, I do really believe that when we are planning our classes we have to use our creativity to make room for some amusing activities that will help us use our time in class more effectively instead of wasting our time or, even worse, our students’ time.

Have you ever thought about that? Let me know your opinion!