Number call a warm up and ice breaker for ESL students

Number call can be played as a warm up or an ice breaker. For this ESL activity make sure there are enough printed numbers to give out to students. Though you can just write each student’s number down as they choose.

How to PLAY?

Start off by you choosing a random number. Use an easy sentence to choose a number for starters and encourage them to repeat such as “I choose 10” or “I want number 10”. Show the numbers to ESL students and now it’s time for them to use the mentioned sentence for choosing a number. When everybody chose, again start by introducing yourself. Make sure the introduction suits their level. For instance, in addition to saying your name, add some other information such as “I have two brothers” for advanced student . Now call a random number to introduce himself then he calls another number until everyone introduced themselves.

Appropriate age for this ice breaker and warm up

For ESL kids (over 3 years old), specially if they are starters, teaching the numbers it is important to teach numbers first. However using this ESL activity to quickly teach numbers and instead you can help them to call a random number. Anyway this activity is suitable for all ages to do.

Suitable class size

We suggest not to do the number call warm up and ice breaker activity for less than 3 or more than 15 students. Now let’s have some fun!