Creating a Positive Learning Environment Through Ice-Breaking
Anne Irma Tobing (French and Bahasa Indonesia teacher)
Before Indonesian and French lessons in the MYP and DP programmes even begin, an exciting scene often unfolds—students eagerly wait outside the classroom, enthusiastically calling out, “Berbaris!” or “Alignez !” (Line up!). What makes this simple routine so engaging and meaningful?
Ice-breaking activities are intentionally designed to help students to promote bonding, feel more relaxed, and build a sense of comfort before engaging with the lesson. As highlighted by Fitria (2023), ice-breaking is a learning process that integrates play and educational elements to reduce boredom and enhance students’ enthusiasm for learning.
In practice, ice-breaking serves as an effective bridge that invites students into the learning process. These activities can take many forms, such as greetings, games, physical movements, songs, motivational messages, quizzes, light humor, applause variations, and playful challenges (Sukmajadi & Simanjuntak, 2021). Common strategies include vocabulary recall, chants or yell-yell, “Simon Says,” flashcards, and short storytelling.
This approach was first introduced in my classroom several years ago and has since evolved into a best practice. Not only MYP students but also DP learners have shown strong engagement and enjoyment in these activities.
One of the most effective ice-breaking strategies I implement focuses on enriching vocabulary and practicing verb conjugations in French. As students enter the classroom, they line up while the teacher asks questions related to the day’s topic. Students who answer correctly receive a reward, such as a positive ClassDojo point, while those who are unable to respond are encouraged to try again in the next round.
In MYP and DP French classes, the questions are adapted to the students’ level, ranging from vocabulary recall to verb conjugations in present, past, and future tenses.
Beyond being enjoyable and rewarding, these activities provide meaningful learning opportunities. The vocabulary introduced during ice-breaking supports students in reading comprehension, writing, and speaking tasks. Learning becomes smoother, as teachers align the vocabulary used in ice-breaking with the lesson objectives outlined in the lesson plan.
Furthermore, as facilitators of learning, teachers must design lessons that align with students’ needs and interests. Incorporating interactive platforms such as Wordwall and Quizzes helps sustain engagement and prevents fatigue, especially during challenging time slots. These activities are not limited to the beginning of the lesson; they can also be integrated midway to reinforce understanding and maintain students’ focus.
In conclusion, ice-breaking and interactive activities significantly enhance student engagement and contribute to deeper learning. When implemented thoughtfully, they transform the classroom into a dynamic and motivating environment where students are eager to participate and learn.
