Warm-up activities. EFL class

Games and activities are an important part of almost every EFL classroom.  Games and activities create situations where students can use the target language of the lesson in a playful situation (a game) or in presentation or production (study or activation) exercises.  Games and activities allow opportunities to use language repeatedly and to build a habit from the structures provided.
Most EFL classes should start with a “warm-up” activity to help the students relax and settle into the class.  The warm-up is often a game, just to start things on a “fun” level.  Structured activities will be provided to students during the practice and production stages of the lesson as well, and if time allows a short language game may also be used at the very end of the class.
The basic idea is to let the class play, have a couple laughs and some fun right at the very beginning – work them very hard in the middle – and finish up the class with some fun.  Following this process, where the class begins and ends with anxiety-reducing activities or games, we should find the students more motivated for their next class.
Every experienced EFL teacher has several favorite games and activities that require minimal preparation – ready to go at any time.  These games and activities also come in handy should you be asked to teach a class for someone else – when you don’t know the students and have not had an opportunity to prepare.  Such surprises are not uncommon in the EFL teaching world.