Hello there!
I �ve been teaching beginners ages 13 and up for several years now and I find the following to be a good ice-breaker as well as a way to learn their names FAST!!!
1. Set all chairs in a circle, enough for everybody, including you. Tell them to all sit in a chair. You sit in the last one available. (With 30, it might be a challenge...can you get another person to split the activity with you?)
2. Begin by stating your name, for example, "My name is Ms. Whangdoodle". The first student to your right has to say his/her name, then say, "And this is Ms. Whangdoodle."
3. The next student to his/her right has to do the same thing but now, of course, remember his or her name PLUS 2 more, ending of course with "And this is Ms. Whangdoodle", namely, you.
4. Continue around the circle until everyone has participated. It gets harder as you go, and there can be many opportunities for laughs, some support, and cameraderie.
5. Do it once, then make them all get up again and tell them they MUST sit with completely different people on either side, then you pick your spot last, to challenge whom you like! I usually end up doing 3 complete rounds.
6. Make sure you try your best to say all their names at the end! If you pay attention, you can learn all their names in under an hour!
GOOD LUCK!
Your American friend
