English Icebreaker Box

How to play Conversation Prompts

1. Get into small groups of 2 to 5 people.
2. Draw a card and read the question out loud.
3. Take turns answering. Try to speak for at least 30 seconds and always explain why.
4. Ask follow-up questions: "Really? Why?", "What happened next?", "Have you ever...?"
5. When the conversation slows down, draw a new card.

How to play Game of Things

1. Get into small groups of 3 to 6 people. No paper needed, just talk!
2. One person draws a card and reads the topic out loud.
3. Take turns giving one answer each, out loud. Keep going around the circle until nobody has new ideas.
4. After each answer, explain it or tell a short story: "Because once I saw..."
5. At the end, everyone votes for the funniest or most creative answer and says why they chose it.
6. Pass the turn to the next person and draw a new card.

Useful phrases

• Giving opinions: "I think...", "In my opinion...", "If I could..., I would..."
• Buying time: "That's a good question...", "Let me think..."
• Asking for help: "How do you say ... in English?", "Could you repeat that, please?"
• Reacting: "That's hilarious!", "I never thought of that!", "I agree / I disagree because..."
• Voting: "My favorite answer was... because..."

Tips for event hosts

• Show this page on a big screen or share it on everyone's phone.
• Mix fluent and beginner speakers in the same group.
• Focus on communication, not perfect grammar. Mistakes are part of learning!
• Start with Conversation Prompts to warm up and finish with Game of Things for laughs.