If you’re a teacher, you know it’s important to find fun and innovative teaching methods. The same applies to public speaking. While some students take to it easily, others may need a bit more encouragement.
These ten public speaking games will help students get comfortable speaking in front of a group, think quickly, and use their imagination. These skills are essential for giving presentations or speeches.
Contents
1. The Tongue Twister Game
From a box of tongue twisters, the speaker selects one created by a fellow student and written on paper. The goal is to recite the phrase three times without mistakes.
Tongue twisters are an excellent way to help students warm up and improve their speech clarity. They’re time-tested oral exercises that always bring a few laughs.
2. Word Association Game
This game can be played by the whole class or in small groups. One person says a word, and the next person must respond with a related word. This goes on until someone can’t think of a related word or repeats one that’s already been said.
This game encourages students to think quickly and come up with clever responses. It’s also a great way for them to learn new words that they can later add to their vocabulary.
3. Sell Me This Pen
This classic game is great for public speaking. One person picks an odd object from a box and tries to sell it to the class with a short pitch. You can choose the winner through applause or a vote.
Students master persuasive skills and craft quick sales pitches. They’ll learn to generate solutions swiftly with minimal preparation time.
4. Debates
This public speaking exercise is sure to grab attention. Debating in teams of two or more students is a great way to sharpen critical thinking skills on topics with multiple viewpoints. It doesn’t have to be formal; you can set some ground rules and use funny topics to keep everyone engaged.
This activity shows students how to research and form an opinion. They’ll learn to support their views with evidence and reasoning, essential for public speaking.
5. Desert Island Game
This game is a fantastic icebreaker and encourages quick thinking among students. The idea is simple: the class is stuck on a desert island and can only bring one item. Each student selects a random drawing made by their classmates and must explain why their item is crucial for survival.
This game encourages students to think quickly and helps them feel comfortable speaking in front of a group. It’s a fun activity, especially for shy students or those who struggle with public speaking!
6. Secret Word
Every student receives a random topic and a separate word. The aim is to include the hidden word in a speech about the topic without being detected. Others listen closely for hints about the secret word.
This game lets students get creative with their speeches. They can practice using vocabulary in context and listen for keywords.
7. In The News Today
The exercise focuses on writing any subject in standard news format, covering who, what, where, why, when, and how. Have them write about a current event or how they got ready for school.
This is a fun way to teach students the structure of speeches and make them more interesting for the audience. They’ll also learn to deliver a news report and practice using proper grammar and formatting.
8. End Lines
Use famous lines from speeches, movies, or songs. Students create an impromptu story ending with that line. For example, phrases like “And that’s how I met your mother” or “Look what you made me do” work well.
This is an excellent chance for students to showcase their creativity with speeches and think on their feet. The activity also helps with storytelling and delivery, two important aspects of public speaking.
9. Balderdash
In this game, students write unusual terms on slips of paper. One person draws a term and explains it before using it in a sentence. If another student guesses the meaning, they earn a point. Others can challenge and offer their own definitions.
This game helps students practice vocabulary and learn new words. It also encourages creativity in speech-making, making it fun and educational.
10. Two Truths and A Lie
In this game, each student creates three statements about themselves: two true and one lie. Another student guesses which statement is the lie and gets one guess. A correct guess earns a point.
This simple yet effective game helps students become comfortable speaking in front of others. It trains them to be more confident when delivering speeches and teaches them how to gauge their audience’s reactions.
Final Thoughts
A fun and interactive speech game engages students in the classroom while they learn. They’ll enjoy themselves while developing essential public speaking skills. Try these games during your next lesson on speeches.