Engaging Icebreakers for Back-to-School: Tips for FSL Teachers

The start of a new school year is an exciting time, filled with opportunities to build a positive classroom culture and set the tone for the months ahead. As a French as a Second Language (FSL) teacher, incorporating icebreakers into your back-to-school routine can help students feel comfortable, engaged, and eager to participate. Here are some fun and effective icebreakers to kick off the school year in your FSL classroom.

1. Two Truths and a Lie (Deux vérités et un mensonge)

This classic icebreaker is a great way for students to practice their French speaking skills while getting to know each other. Have each student think of two true statements and one false statement about themselves. Then, they share these statements with the class, and their classmates guess which one is the lie. This activity encourages students to use descriptive language and prompts interesting conversations.

2. Find Someone Who... (Trouvez quelqu’un qui...)

Prepare a bingo-style sheet with different statements in French, such as “Trouvez quelqu’un qui aime le chocolat” (Find someone who likes chocolate) or “Trouvez quelqu’un qui a visité un pays francophone” (Find someone who has visited a Francophone country). Students walk around the classroom asking each other questions to find someone who matches each statement. This activity gets students moving, speaking, and learning about their classmates.

3. Name Game with Adjectives (Jeu des noms avec adjectifs)

To help students remember each other’s names and practice adjectives, play a name game where each student introduces themselves with an adjective that starts with the same letter as their first name. For example, “Je m’appelle Sophie et je suis sportive” (My name is Sophie and I am sporty). After each introduction, the class repeats the name and adjective, reinforcing vocabulary and memory.

4. Cultural Show and Tell (Présentez un objet culturel)

Ask students to bring in an object that represents their culture or interests. Each student presents their object to the class in French, explaining why it is important to them. This activity not only practices speaking skills but also fosters cultural exchange and appreciation among students.

5. Sentence Starters (Débuts de phrases)

Provide students with sentence starters in French to complete, such as “Cet été, j’ai...” (This summer, I...) or “Mon plat préféré est...” (My favorite dish is...). Students take turns sharing their sentences with the class. This simple activity helps ease students into speaking French and sharing personal experiences.

6. Classmate Bingo (Bingo des camarades)

Create a bingo card with different personal facts in each square, such as “A un chien” (Has a dog) or “Parle plus de deux langues” (Speaks more than two languages). Students mingle and ask each other questions to find classmates who match the facts, filling in their bingo cards as they go. This interactive game encourages conversation and helps students discover common interests.

7. Group Storytelling (Histoire en groupe)

Start a story in French and have each student add a sentence to continue the story. For example, begin with “Il était une fois, un garçon qui aimait voyager...” (Once upon a time, there was a boy who loved to travel...). Each student contributes to the story in turn, creating a collaborative and often humorous tale. This activity encourages creativity and reinforces language skills.

8. Alphabet Introductions (Introductions par l’alphabet)

Have students introduce themselves using a word that starts with the same letter as their name and describes something they like or an activity they enjoy. For example, “Je m’appelle Marie et j’aime la musique” (My name is Marie and I like music). This helps students practice vocabulary and makes introductions more engaging.

9. Speed Friending (Amitié rapide)

Set up a speed-dating style activity where students have a few minutes to talk to each classmate before moving on to the next. Provide them with a list of questions in French to ask each other, such as “Quel est ton film préféré?” (What is your favorite movie?) or “Où aimerais-tu voyager?” (Where would you like to travel?). This activity helps students practice conversational skills and quickly get to know their peers.

10. Language Goals Sharing (Partage des objectifs linguistiques)

Have students write down their goals for learning French this year. Then, pair them up to share their goals with a partner in French. This activity not only helps students practice speaking but also sets a purposeful tone for the school year and encourages peer support.

By incorporating these icebreakers into your back-to-school activities, you can create a welcoming and dynamic classroom environment where students feel comfortable practicing their French and building connections with their peers. Bonne rentrée et amusez-vous bien !

Do you have any favorite icebreakers for the start of the school year? Share your ideas in the comments and let’s inspire each other for a fantastic year ahead!