As someone who loves language and communication, I find that incorporating language-themed “This or That” icebreaker questions into events can be a fun and engaging way to connect with others. By asking questions related to different aspects of language, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural differences, you can encourage your guests to share their experiences, perspectives, and knowledge in a playful and interactive way.
How to incorporate Language themed This or That questions
To incorporate language-themed “This or That” questions into your event, follow these steps:
-
Prepare a list of questions beforehand that are related to different aspects of language and communication. You can find inspiration from reading books, articles, or blogs about language, talking to language experts, or simply observing the way people communicate in different contexts.
-
Print out the questions on cards or display them on a screen or a poster board. Encourage your guests to form small groups of 3-5 people and take turns asking each other the questions. You can also create a rotation system where each group moves on to the next question after a set amount of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes).
-
Make sure everyone has a chance to answer each question and listen actively to their responses. Encourage follow-up questions, comments, and discussions that build on the initial answers. You can also share your own insights and observations about language and communication to keep the conversation flowing.
-
After everyone has had a chance to answer all the questions, gather your guests in a larger group and ask them to share their favorite or most surprising answers. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any commonalities or connections that emerged during the activity.
-
Consider using some of the insights or stories that came up during the “This or That” icebreaker as a springboard for further conversations and activities throughout the day. For example, you could organize a language trivia game, create a vocabulary scavenger hunt, or facilitate a group discussion about cross-cultural communication.
Ideas on different themes of questions
To keep your language-themed icebreaker questions fresh and engaging, you can explore different themes and categories that are relevant to language and communication. Here are some ideas:
-
Grammar: Ask questions related to the rules and conventions of grammar, such as verb tense, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and word order (e.g., “Which is more important in writing: grammar or style?” or “Do you prefer using formal or informal language in different contexts?”).
-
Vocabulary: Ask questions related to the words and expressions that are used in different languages and cultures, such as idioms, slang, technical terms, and dialects (e.g., “What is your favorite word in English or another language?” or “How do you learn new words and phrases when traveling abroad?”).
-
Pronunciation: Ask questions related to the sounds and intonations that are used in different languages and accents, such as phonetics, stress, rhythm, and pitch (e.g., “Do you find it easier to understand or speak a foreign language?” or “How do you feel about hearing or using different accents in your own language?”).
-
Cultural differences: Ask questions that explore how language reflects and shapes cultural values, beliefs, and norms (e.g., “What are some common misconceptions or stereotypes about a particular culture or language?” or “How can we be more mindful of cultural differences when communicating with others?”).
By incorporating these different themes of questions into your language-themed icebreaker activity, you can keep your guests engaged and entertained while also fostering a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the diversity and complexity of language and communication. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your next event!
My favorite Language themed This or That questions
- Reading or writing?
- Speaking or listening?
- Grammar or vocabulary?
- Punctuation or spelling?
- Verb or noun?
- Adjective or adverb?
- Idioms or slang?
- Formal or informal language?
- American English or British English?
- Conversational skills or academic writing?
- Literal or figurative language?
- Active voice or passive voice?
- Gerund or infinitive?
- Direct speech or indirect speech?
- Phrasal verbs or prepositional verbs?
- Compound words or hyphenated words?
- Synonym or antonym?
- Proper nouns or common nouns?
- Prefix or suffix?
- Homophones or homographs?
- Irregular verb or regular verb?
- Literal translation or cultural adaptation?
- Simile or metaphor?
- Subject-verb agreement or pronoun-antecedent agreement?
- Contractions or full forms?
- Modal verbs or auxiliary verbs?
- Sentence fragment or run-on sentence?
- Colloquialism or jargon?
- Singular or plural:
- Active or passive vocabulary?
- Literal or implied meanings?
About the author
Jon Zajac
Founder & Chief Icebreaker
I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.