ESL Warmers

An ESL warmer is essentially a fun game you play at the beginning of your lesson to get your pupils "warmed-up" and ready to learn.

A warmer is SO important, for your ESL classroom, because it sets the mood for the rest of the lesson. ESL warmers are essential because they help your pupils:

* To relax and feel comfortable in the classroom
* Have fun
* Realize that “everyone is in the same boat”
* Learn a little about you and their classmates
* Gain confidence
* Get a feel for how the rest of the class will be like

The best warmers sometimes become a whole lesson!

Here's one for you:

Switch Positions

Switch!

How to play:

1. Give each pupil an item of vocab.
2. Make sure that they know their vocab.
3. Demonstrate.
4. Play!

Example: In this example, I have just taught 4 colours (Red, Yellow, Blue and Green).

1. Touch pupil 1 on the head and say "Red" (get the P to repeat).
2. Touch pupil 2 on the head and say "Yellow" (get the P to repeat).
3. Touch pupil 3 the head and say "Blue" (get the P to repeat).
4. Touch pupil 4 on the head and say "Green" (get the P to repeat).

When you get to pupil 5, just start again from "Red"

Make sure the pupils know their vocab:
Say "Stand up, Red" - I say the action first so that all the pupils listen.
Continue until you have gone through all the vocab.

Demonstrate for the class:
Get several volunteers from different vocab groups (one from red, one from blue, etc) to come out the front, with their chairs. Say "Switch chairs, blue and green. Gesture to the pupils so that they stand up, then move them to the other chair. Do this a few times, just to make sure that they understand.

You can use almost every vocabulary area for this activity.

Now play the game!

Enjoy!