Multilingual / multimodal instructions game
This activity is a twist on traditional icebreaker/warmer games that can be used at the start of a multilingual session or meeting to help people relax and settle in. Any number of games can be played depending on time and the size of your group, but instructions should be given in an unconventional way such as through mime, numbers, an unfamiliar language or whichever mode seems appropriate for the group. The activity described here uses the game ‘Homage to Magritte’ and instructions are delivered through mime.
You will need:
space to move around
an everyday object such as a water bottle, board marker or notebook
Time: 15 mins
Step-by-step
1 – Tell participants: “We are going to play a game but I will explain the instructions only with my body, no words.”
2 – Participants make a circle and the facilitator stands in the centre and holds up an everyday object, such as a water bottle. Point to the water bottle and signal for participants to guess what the object is. If anyone answers ‘water bottle’ shake your head and indicate that it is not.
3 – Demonstrate by using the water bottle in any way except how it is intended, e.g. use the bottle as a toothbrush. Point again to the water bottle for participants to guess what it is and indicate when someone guesses ‘toothbrush’ correctly. Repeat 2-3 times with different actions.
4 – When participants have got the hang of the game, choose someone who guessed correctly to replace you in the centre of the circle with the water bottle. Swap participants in as they correctly guess the mimed object.
5 – After several participants have had a turn miming with the water bottle bring the game to a close with a round of applause. You can debrief with questions like: “How did you understand the rules of the game?” “What made it difficult to understand?” “What made it easy to understand?” “What did you do to help others understand you?” “What did you do if you didn’t understand?”
Tips
Simple, active games which don’t require lengthy instructions and can be picked up easily from a demonstration work best.
“Body language was my first language when I came to the UK.” – English for Action ESOL student
