From first hand knowledge ice breakers are a great way to loosen a class up. They get them prepared for an English class as opposed to just the average class taught by one of their normal teachers as it were. Generally speaking, Japanese students for example are very shy. They tend to learn a lot about written English and they do a good amount of listening practice too. However, when it comes to actual spoken English, maybe 3-5% of a class might actually be comfortable trying to speak in class. Thus, ball around the class is a great ice breaker because it gives all the students the chance to practice English verbally, it invites all students to be active with one another, and is a game that levels the playing field where all students should be able to join in. The major part of English that is so sorely left out in Japan for example is verbal communication, ball around the class, tries to remedy this.

Ball around the class is a great ice breaker because it is first of all an easy activity that shouldn’t be scary to the average ESL student and mostly because it lends itself as a tool that asks every student to speak up. Once the AET has come into the class, introductions have been completed it, it is best to get right into the ice breaker. The teacher usually has to explain the ball around the class activity to the students and this generally goes smoothly because the activity isn’t really all that difficult. The activity is a great way for the students to practice English because they have to be verbal and they have to actually speak with one another. As the AET gives the ball to the first student there is always some hesitation on the part of the student. In Japan, students are extraordinarily shy, arguably moreso then most Asian cultures. As long as the AET is pleasant and calm when handing the ball to the first student, things get under way quite smoothly. He or she may look around at other students in the class for help, so a little time and no pressure is always given to the first three or so students. As soon as the game starts the students are passing the ball around, having fun, being loud, and all the while practicing English. This ice breaker really is perfect for elementary students. It is used as a way for students to practice saying “my name is ~” or “I’m ~.” After doing so, the student passes the ball to the next person. Many times in the past after the student says “my name is Takako” for example I have taught the student waiting for the ball to say “nice to meet you” upon receiving the ball. Any phrase can of course be used with this warm up activity, or it can even be lengthened and included into the actual lesson where longer sentences can be used.