When ETA Alyssa reunited with her students at SMAN 1 Tomohon during the first classes of the new year, she decided to use the downtime to casually and entertainingly re-engage her students with English. To catch up after the holiday break and get to know one another better, Alyssa gathered her students into a circle, and they played the game Two Truths and a Lie.

This activity invited students to share interesting facts about themselves while their peers participated in identifying the lie. This simple yet interactive game encouraged students to use their English skills to describe their lives and come up with alternative descriptions on the spot. The game served as a fun icebreaker to warm up the students after some time off and promoted critical thinking skills as classmates listened to one another. Another variation of the game, Two Lies and One Truth, was also played. Alyssa and the students bonded in an inclusive environment, practicing English while learning more about one another and laughing together.

The casual gathering of students over this activity helped build a sense of community and strengthened relationships between fellow students and their ETA, setting a positive tone for both the second semester of the grant and the new year!

Alyssa Guiang is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Tomohon, North Sulawesi.