Passport to Our Class

An icebreaker game to learn key info on Day 1

Overview

Passport to Our Class is a fast, low-stress game that lets you collect essential information about each ESL student while they practice simple speaking and listening.

Students “travel” between classroom stations to get passport stamps, sharing short answers and artifacts. Works in person or online.

Goals

Gather key info: name, preferred name, languages, prior schooling, interests, goals, support needs, contact details

Lower first-day anxiety through movement, choice, and short turns

Build classroom community and useful language routines

Materials

• Paper “passport” booklet (half-sheet folded) or a one-page template
• Stamp icons or stickers (or teacher initials)
• Station signs and simple question cards
• Optional: QR codes linking to short forms for contact details
• Online version: slides with station titles, breakout rooms, and a shared Jamboard/Padlet
• Passport template (one page, double-sided if possible)

Front

• Photo box or self-portrait
• Name and preferred name
• Pronouns (optional)

Inside

• Languages I speak (rate: beginner, okay, strong)
• Country/region(s) lived in
• Last school grade completed and favorite subject
• I learn best when…
• Interests outside school
• Personal goal for English this term
• Support that helps me (visuals, extra time, buddy, dictionary, subtitles)
• Contact: parent/guardian name, phone/email, preferred language

Back

• “Ask me about…” prompt
• Space for teacher notes
• Station setup (5–7 stations, 3–4 minutes each)

Name and Pronunciation

Prompt: Say your preferred name. Teach the teacher a gesture for the stress. Record phonetic hint. Product: Teacher writes phonetic spelling; student records a 5-second audio (phone or classroom device).

Languages and Home

Prompt: What languages do you use at home/school/online? Product: Color in a small world map; list languages with comfort level.

School Snapshot

Prompt: Last grade completed, favorite subject, one challenge. Product: Sticker next to favorite subject; note any gaps in schooling.

Learning Preferences

Prompt: Choose two cards: “I learn by…” (pictures, speaking, writing, pair work, videos, demos). Product: Paste or draw the icons in the passport.

Interests and Strengths

Prompt: Pick two icons that show hobbies or talents; say one sentence about each. Product: Icons added; teacher notes vocabulary connected to interests.

English Goal

Prompt: Choose a goal card or write one: speak to a new friend, understand science videos, pass ACCESS level X. Product: One clear, measurable goal and a confidence rating (1–5).

Support and Contact

Prompt: Which supports help you? Who should school contact? Product: Student circles supports; quick QR form for parent contact in home language.

Game mechanics

Students carry their passport. Each station visit earns a stamp. Pair students with a language buddy for support. Teacher and aides circulate, listen, and jot notes.

Online version

Use breakout rooms as stations with a shared slide for prompts. A simple form collects contact info; a shared board collects interests and goals. Students take a selfie or draw an avatar on a slide.

Data capture for the teacher

Snap photos of key passport pages or collect them at the end. Transfer essentials into a roster: name/pronunciation, languages, preference icons, goal, supports, contact. Note potential groupings and needed accommodations.

Why it works

Short, repeated speaking turns build confidence. Choice and visuals reduce language load. Stations give you comprehensive info without long forms, while keeping day one fun.