49 ESL Conversation Games & Activities - Jackie Bolen 2020

Deserted Island
English conversation games and activities for all levels

Skills: Speaking/Listening

Time: 5-10 minutes

Level: Beginner to Advanced

Materials Required: Nothing

Deserted Island is an excellent way to uncover what things are most important to students. Tell students that there is a terrible storm and their ship is sinking, but thankfully, they can bring three objects with them. They don't need to be realistic or necessary for survival, just things that they want to have with them during their time on the island. Encourage creativity and imagination.

Then, have students share their answers with the class (if under six students), or in small groups or pairs (in larger classes), and give a reason why they'd bring each item. Of course, encourage follow-up questions to make it a more interesting conversation activity.

Procedure:

1. Tell students that they are on a ship and it's sinking. Thankfully, there is an island nearby that is already well-stocked with everything they'll need for survival.

2. Each student has to choose three things that they'd like to have with them during their time on the island. They don't need to be realistic or necessary for survival.

3. Students share their answers and why they chose each item with the class, small group or pair.