Ice Breaker Games for International Students

Planning ice breakers for a mixed-background group

UK colleges and universities welcome students with a wide range of educational and language backgrounds. A good ice breaker helps a new group relax, learn names and start talking, which can make later sessions run more smoothly.

Students will have different experiences of discussion and group work. That depends on their previous institution, subject and teachers, and on the individual, not simply on where they studied. Ask students what they are comfortable with rather than making assumptions. Language varies too. Some international students speak English as a first language. Others are highly proficient but unfamiliar with particular accents or local expressions. Domestic students may also be multilingual or uneasy speaking in front of a group, so treat the advice below as inclusive teaching for everyone.

If you want support, try your institution's academic development, English language support or other teaching support teams, where available. The international office may be able to help, although its role often centres on recruitment, immigration advice or administration. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) publishes guidance for staff working with international students, though it does not recommend specific games such as those below.

What makes an ice breaker work

Clear, simple rules matter. If instructions are complicated, students may feel confused or under pressure to get things right.

When planning:

• Demonstrate the task rather than relying on explanation alone.
• Give instructions both verbally and in writing, and check understanding before you start.
• Allow thinking time before anyone has to answer.
• Use pairs or small groups so students talk to each other, not only to you.
• Explain the pass option at the start. Students can skip a prompt, choose an alternative or observe without saying why.

Avoid slang, idioms and cultural references. A joke based on a British TV programme, for example, may exclude students unfamiliar with it. Speak at a steady pace, and make sure printed materials and maps are available in accessible formats.

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Ice breaker games to try

Bingo

Print bingo cards with words in each square. Using a different mix on each card reduces the chance of several people winning at once. Print the same words separately, cut them up and put them in a box or hat. Before play, announce whether a line or a full card wins. Draw the words one at a time and read them aloud while students cross off any that appear on their card.

Demonstrate the rules even if you expect students to know them. On its own, bingo is mainly a listening game, so add a step that helps students meet: they could introduce themselves to a partner and use their winning words in a sentence together. Subject vocabulary may suit some classes, but match the words to your actual group rather than assuming they need basic practice.

Find someone who

Give each student a sheet with short prompts, such as "find someone who speaks three languages" or "find someone who likes cooking". Students ask questions and write down names, which encourages short, low-pressure conversations with several people. Offer a seated version for anyone who cannot easily move around the room, for instance by bringing classmates to them or working round a table.

Where are you from?

Put a large world map on the wall and invite students to mark a place and share one thing about it, such as a local food or somewhere worth visiting. Not everyone has a single home town or wants to discuss their origins, so let them choose any place they know, enjoy or would like to visit.

Names

Ask students to give the name they use and say it aloud so others can hear how it is pronounced. Never ask anyone to adopt an anglicised name or nickname. Paired introductions or name cards work better than a long memory chain, which can put people on the spot and disadvantage those with memory, hearing or language processing difficulties. If you do use a chain, keep it short.

Making everyone feel included

Quietness is not always about language. Some students simply find speaking to a whole class daunting, and pair work can help. Take care with physical contact, personal questions and sensitive topics such as religion, politics or family, and let students decide how much to share.

Keep ice breakers short and linked to the session's purpose. Used thoughtfully, they can help students begin to feel part of the group.