ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course
  • Learn English
    • Learn English
    • Confusing English Words

in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

Would You Rather ESL Activity for Kids or Adults

Try out this would you rather ESL activity if you want to have a fun time discussing some impossible options with your students. Have some fun with ESL would you rather!

would-you-rather-esl

Would you Rather ESL Activity

Are you looking for a quick, no-prep ESL warm-up activity that’ll work for both kids as well as adults? Then you’re in the right place.

Keep on reading to learn more about the Would you rather icebreaker and how you can use it in your ESOL classes.

Would you Rather ESL Activity

This is a fun ESL warm-up activity. You can buy ready-made decks, but they aren’t ESL-specific. I use self-made cards, which take a bit of time but then you can recycle them from class to class. Another option is to just make a list of questions. If you’re quick on your feet, you can do this without materials.

For example, “Would you rather have eyes like a fly’s, or eyes like a spider’s?” Students must choose one and explain why.

If your class is small, you can do this as a single group. Each student can answer the question, and you can too! If the class is a bit larger, I prefer to work in small groups of 3-4, giving each group part of the deck of cards. This helps make your class more student-centred and increases student talking time.

If you want to work in groups but haven’t prepared questions in advance, state two choices and give each group 1-2 minutes to discuss amongst themselves.

Procedure for this Would You Rather Icebreaker

  1. In advance, prepare cards with two choices, the odder, the better. For example, “Would you rather have eyes like a fly’s, or eyes like a spider’s?” If you want to do this without cards, simply give students two choices and 1-2 minutes to discuss.
  2. Start off the activity with an example. Have one student choose a card and then ask you the question.
  3. Divide students into groups of 3-4 and give each group an equal portion of the deck of question cards.
  4. Have students take turns choosing a card to ask their group, or read aloud and give their own answer.
  5. If you’ve done this activity in smaller groups because you have a bigger class, elicit some example answers from each group. Or, have each group choose their most interesting question to ask you.
would-you-rather-icebreaker

Would you Rather Adults and Kids

Would You Rather for Kids, Teenagers and Adults

A common question that teachers have is whether or not Would you Rather ESL works for kids and adults. In my experience, it works very well, but you just have to adapt the questions to suit the age and level of students.

Kids

For example, kids may enjoy talking about superheroes. For example, “Would you rather be Superman or Batman?” Here’s a list of some more questions for kids:

Questions for Kids.

Adults

Adults might find chores they want to avoid quite funny. For example, “Would you rather clean your floor, or wait in line at the bank for 30 minutes?” Need a list of adult questions? You can find that here:

Questions for Adults

Teens

Finally, teenagers may like talking about junk food. For example, “Would you rather eat your Mom’s cooking, or at McDonald’s?” If you want some more teen questions, then you’ll want to check out this list:

Questions for Teens.

Would you Rather Card Game for Kids

Would You Rather? Picture Card Game
Would You Rather? Picture Card Game
  • Contents:
  • 77 Dilemma Cards
  • 2 Voting Cards
  • 1 Would You Rather card
Check Price on Amazon

If you’re looking for a ready-made version of this game that’ll work well for kids, we have some good news for you! You can find it on Amazon.

In the box you can find the following:

  • 77 dilemma cards
  • 2 voting cards
  • A Would you rather card
  • Instructions on how to play

The thing we love about this for ESL is that there are pictures on the cards, which makes it better for beginners who might be struggling with the English vocabulary involved in this game.

However, be warned that many of the card options are kind of gross and they may not be suitable for children under the age of 10 or so. Use your discretion!

Do you want to check out this Kids Edition Game? You can find it easily on Amazon:

shop-now-amazon

Would you Rather Adults Game

Pick Your Poison Party Game - The “What Would You Rather Do?” Family Card Game - for Kids,...
Pick Your Poison Party Game - The “What Would You Rather Do?” Family Card Game - for Kids,...
  • PICK YOUR POISON is a card game of unfathomable "What would you rather...
  • Spark fun conversations -Everyone anonymously "Picks their Poison" –...
  • Endless Combinations - PICK YOUR POISON Family Edition gives you 300...
  • Perfect idea for White Elephant and Secret Santa gift exchange! Our...
Check Price on Amazon

If you teach more advanced-level students or just love this game so much that you want to play with your friends, we have a recommendation for you! Pick your Poison is a similar style game that can be easily found on Amazon.

With more than 300 poison cards, there are endless combinations of possibilities. However, be warned! This definitely could be very inappropriate to play in class!

Did you Like this ESL Warm-Up Activity?

If you liked this ESL warm-up activity, then you’ll need to check out this book on Amazon: 39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Teenagers and Adults. There is enough fun, engaging and interesting ESL warm-ups to start off every one of your classes in style.

Chances are your students who haven’t spoken a word of English since your last class. If this is your situation, then you’ll need to do your best to ease students into it. I find that going directly into the lesson is less than ideal!

It’s best to start with something light and fun but in English. Once everyone is warm, dive into your main lesson for the day. Your students will be ready to learn and what you really want to teach them will sink in a whole lot better. If you’ve never used warm-ups in your classes before, give them a try and see if you notice the difference (my guess is that you will!).

If this sounds awesome and you’re looking for fresh new ideas for ESL warm-ups, check out the book on Amazon. It’s available in both digital and print formats.

Keep a copy on the bookshelf at your office at work as a handy reference tool. Or, take a copy on your phone or tablet to your favourite coffee shop when you’re planning your lessons. Yes, it really is that easy to have better English lessons.

Pick up Your Copy of ESL Warmers Today

Buy 39 ESL Warm-Ups for Teenagers and Adults today. But, only if you want to get your classes started off on the right foot.

—>39 ESL Warm-Ups for Teenagers and Adults<—

Have your Say about Would You Rather

What are your thoughts about this ESL warm-up activity that you can try out in your classes? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. It’ll help other busy ESL teachers, like yourself find this useful teaching resource.

Last update on 2025-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram

« ESL Small Group Discussion: Tips to Make ESL Discussions Better!
Guessing Game for English Learners | ESL Guess Who Activity »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Check Price on Amazon
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

Search this site

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Different Types of Adverbs with Adverb Examples

Asking for Permission English Expressions, Phrases & Dialogues

Books For English Learners: Top 20 Easy Book Recommendations

Topics to Debate about With Friends | Debate Topics for Friends

50 Food Trivia Questions and Answers for All Ages

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Check Price on Amazon
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
Check Price on Amazon
Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources
  • Learn English

Our Top-Seller

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

making weekend plans in english

Weekend Plans (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

how to order sushi in English

Ordering Sushi (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

English dialogue feeling under the weather

Feeling Under the Weather: English Dialogue & Practice Questions

dialogue meet someone new

Meeting Someone New Dialogue (For English Learners)

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2025 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.