At the beginning of term adolescent learners are often shy, embarrassed and awkward. They are reluctant to speak English in front of their peers or show enthusiasm in class, often suffering from social pressure and lack of self-confidence. It can take weeks or months for students to get to know each other and form bonds. However, don’t despair if your teen learners are like this. There are plenty of team-building games and activities you can do to help students build relationships that will allow them to feel comfortable and relaxed in the classroom.
Why use team-building activities in the classroom?
Team building activities can help:
- Break down boundaries
- Teens get to know each other
- Build trust and teamwork
- Bring 21st-century skills – collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills – to life
Team-building games can also be a lot of fun. They require students to work together to reach a common goal and sometimes include a competitive element, which can encourage teenage learners to get really involved.
