49 ESL Conversation Games & Activities - Jackie Bolen 2020

Ask me about
English conversation games and activities for higher level students

Skills: Speaking/Listening

Time: 10-20 minutes

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Materials Required: Name labels

This is not an activity for students who are very shy. Before class, print sticky name tags with "Ask Me About" and a cheeky prompt. For example: “. . . the first time I got drunk,” or “. . . my worst date ever.” Students can choose whatever prompt they want when coming into the class. Have students mingle and ask each other the prompt on their name tags. This is better for adults who know each other a bit and should be used after you've had a few classes together. If cheeky prompts would offend your students, stick to safer ones such as first jobs, or the best vacation.

Tips for Increasing Interaction:

I also like to encourage interaction and follow-up questions in response to things that students have heard about one of their classmates. I mention that the goal isn't to necessarily talk to every single person in the entire class but it's actually to find out something more in-depth about a few of them.

Procedure:

1. In advance, print an “Ask Me About” name tag sticker for each student. Each should have a different prompt, such as, “. . . my worst date ever,” or “. . . my first job.”

2. As students come in to class, give them each a sticker to put on like a name tag. Students can choose which prompt they want.

3. Have students mingle, asking each other the prompts on their tags.

4. Wrap this up by asking a few students the best story a classmate told them.