How Can We Help Learners Connect in the First Week?

How do learners feel when they enter a new classroom where they may not know their teacher or classmates? Some may be excited and eager to speak, while others may feel nervous, especially if they are expected to communicate in English.

Getting-to-know-you activities can help learners feel safe, included, and ready to participate. They also give teachers an informal opportunity to learn about their learners’ interests, personalities, and current English abilities. However, these activities should be carefully chosen. A task that requires long answers may place unnecessary pressure on young learners or beginners. Using pictures, movement, choices, and simple language allows everyone to participate successfully.

Here are three adaptable activities for the first week

Choose and Move

Place picture cards representing different interests around the classroom, such as music, sports, books, animals, games, and art. Ask learners to move toward a picture they like.

Young learners or beginners can simply point to the picture and say one word, such as football or cats. More confident learners can introduce themselves and explain their choice: I’m Ece, and I like music because I enjoy singing.

Repeat the activity with different categories, such as favorite colors, foods, or school subjects. This helps learners discover shared interests through simple language and movement.

This Is Me

Learners can show their pictures to a partner or small group. Beginners can name each picture using individual words or short phrases. More confident learners can describe their drawings and ask one another follow-up questions.

For kindergarten learners, use a sheet with clear picture prompts. Older learners can personalize the activity by including something they are good at, something they want to learn, or an interesting fact about themselves.

Find Someone Who...

Prepare simple prompts such as likes pizza, has a pet, plays football, or likes drawing. Learners move around the classroom and find a classmate who matches each prompt.

Beginners can use one repeated question, such as Do you like pizza? Younger learners can use illustrated cards and ask by pointing or naming the picture. More proficient learners can ask additional questions and record more detailed information.

Before the activity, model the language with the whole class and allow learners to practice with a partner.

Start with Connection

Getting to know one another takes more than one lesson. Small, inclusive activities during the first week can help learners gradually develop confidence and feel that they belong.