For the pedagogical trade fair, Brieanna and I presented a non-TPR adaptation of the Four Square activity that we played in P&P at the beginning of the semester. This is an activity that stuck with us and that we felt could easily be adapted depending on the class content and context. We also felt that it was a great icebreaker activity to do with students to get them engaged in conversation and moving around the classroom. 

In this game, students interact with one another by answering and then discussing their answers to multiple choice questions asked by the teacher or facilitator. Normally, this would be TPR activity, with students moving around to different squares on the floor that are representative of the answer they choose: A, B, C, or D.  However, in this adaptation of the activity, game pieces will be given to the participants, and they will place these on the square for the answer that they choose. Students should be prepared to explain why they choose a specific answer; this is designed to promote friendly discussion among people with common interests.  After this brief discussion, the group on each “square” provides some reasoning for why they chose their specific answer; this allows the students to listen to their peers and be exposed to other opinions.

An example of a question might be:

If you could learn another language, what would you choose?

A. French                B. Mandarin

C. Arabic                 D. other

In our adaptation of the game, students would simply move their game piece onto the square with the answer of their choice. However, in the TPR version that we did as a class, students jump/walk over to the square that applies to them.

Purposes and Goals

This activity works on listening comprehension, since students need to listen carefully to the question and remember the possible answers.  It also works on speaking skills, since students participate in informal discussion with their peers. This activity could also be adapted further to address writing/reading skills; students could contribute their own questions, and a student could act as the facilitator of the activity.

Why this activity?

This is an excellent ice-breaker activity to do with a class; it is a quick TPR activity to get students moving and talking, and it allows students to mingle and speak with like-minded individuals. The questions can easily be adapted and focused on any topic that is relevant to the curriculum. On the whole, it can promote not only language learning but also community building and can foster a comfortable classroom environment.