Fluency and Fun: An Engaging Speaking Activity for English Classes

This week, I tried a fun and effective speaking activity in my English classes, and it was a big hit with both teenagers and adults! The activity is simple but very useful for improving speaking skills. Here’s how it works:

I have a large set of picture cards with a variety of topics—famous people, countries, cars, animals, and more. Each student chooses a card, and when it’s their turn, they must talk about the topic on their card for as long as they can. The challenge? They can’t say “um” or pause for too long. The student who talks the longest without stopping or hesitating wins the point for that round.

Why This Activity Works

1. Improves Fluency

This activity pushes students to keep speaking, which helps them practice thinking in English. It’s great for building confidence and reducing the habit of overthinking while speaking.

2. Encourages Planning

Before their turn, students can use a dictionary to look up words they might need. This helps them prepare and think about what they want to say, which is a valuable skill for real-life conversations.

3. Builds Vocabulary

Looking up words in advance introduces students to new vocabulary. They learn not only the words but also how to use them naturally in sentences.

4. Makes Learning Fun

Everyone had a lot of fun with this activity! It became a friendly competition, and students were eager to talk more and improve. Even the shy students got involved and tried their best.

Tips for Success

• Encourage students to think of simple points they can make about their topic, like describing it, sharing their opinion, or telling a short story.
• Make sure the environment is supportive. Laughing together at small mistakes helps everyone feel comfortable.
• Use a timer to track how long each student speaks, and make it exciting by announcing the “winner” of each round.

Final Thoughts

This activity is a great way to help students practice speaking English more fluently while having fun at the same time. It’s easy to set up, and it works for all levels. Give it a try in your class—I’m sure your students will enjoy it as much as mine did!