Questions for Your First Session

Meeting a new student for the first time can feel a little daunting, and it’s completely normal to be unsure where to start.

Remember, the main goal of the first session is just to get to know each other. There’s no need to worry about formal lessons or making fast progress—just focus on building a friendly connection and discovering shared interests.

📌In this file, you’ll find ideas for questions and activities for the first session, both for ADULTS and KIDS/TEENAGERS.

Before your session, take a few minutes to look through the suggestions. We’ve included four activity ideas—you’re free to choose the ones that feel most comfortable. There’s no need to follow them all or stick to a fixed plan.

ADULTS

1. Questions For General Discussion

➡️We suggest beginning with some general discussion questions to help you learn more about each other. To make it fun, we’ve prepared an interactive activity!

Follow the link**, share your screen, and spin the wheel, then take turns answering questions. You can answer all questions or just pick a couple and move to the next activity.

*To share your screen: *

• Click the “Share Screen” or “Present now” button at the bottom of your screen.
• Choose what you want to share (screen, window, or tab).
• Click “Share”.
• To stop, click “Stop Sharing”.

If you don’t want to share your screen, here is the list of questions to discuss:

• General questions: How are you? Are you and your family safe/doing okay? What is your current situation? Where are you now? How much would you like to talk about the war today and in our next sessions?
• Family – What can you share about your family?
• Job – What do you do? What do you like about your job?
• What do you enjoy doing in your free time? How about on weekends?
• Do you live in a town or a city? How big is it? What are some interesting places in your town?
• What kinds of music do you listen to? What kind of films do you prefer?
• Do you play sports? What kind? How often?
• Why do you want to improve your English?

2. Activity “My Story in 3 Words”

➡️This activity is a fun way to learn more about each other through personal reflection.

• Both the student and the volunteer need to think of 3 words that describe their life, personality, or experiences.
• Take turns sharing your 3 words—but don’t explain them right away!
• The other person guesses why those words were chosen.
• After the guess, the student or volunteer who shared the words can explain the real meaning behind each one.

Example:

* "Book – Bicycle – Border"* → it turns out the person loves reading, once traveled by bike across a border

3. Activity "Firsts"

➡️Take turns sharing memorable “firsts” in your life—like your first job, first trip abroad, or first time trying something new.

Ask follow-up questions like “How did it feel?”, “What did you learn?”, or “Would you do it again?”

• First job
• First time you earned your own money
• First trip somewhere
• First concert
• First time trying a really weird food
• First book that made a big impact on you
• First foreign language you tried to learn

4. Would You Rather

➡️Follow the link, share your screen, and play a “would you rather” game. We suggest keeping this activity as a backup option in case you have some time left at the end of your session.

KIDS/ TEENAGERS

Below are three suggested activities designed for kids and teens. You’re welcome to choose the ones you like—there’s no need to follow them exactly. Just pick what works best for your session.

❗️❗️❗️We recommend avoiding sensitive topics like war, immigration, or family during your first sessions, as these might be difficult for kids/teenagers to talk about.

1. Questions For General Discussion

➡️We suggest beginning with some general discussion questions to help you learn more about each other. To make it fun, we’ve prepared an interactive activity!

Follow the link, share your screen, and spin the wheel, then take turns answering questions. You can answer all questions or just pick a couple and move to the next activity.

*To share your screen: *

• Click the “Share Screen” or “Present now” button at the bottom of your screen.
• Choose what you want to share (screen, window, or tab).
• Click “Share”.

To stop, click “Stop Sharing”.

2. Activity “Name 3…”

➡️In this activity, the student and volunteer take turns naming 3 things that match a fun prompt. Then, please ask each other a follow-up question to learn more.

Example: *– Name 3 video games you enjoy playing*

• – I like Minecraft, Fortnite and The Sims*

Follow-up questions: *What do you like most about these games? Do you usually play alone or with friends? Which of the three is the most challenging? How often do you play games?*

See the questions here:

🎵 Pop Culture & Entertainment

• Name 3 songs you can listen to on repeat
• Name 3 favorite YouTubers / TikTokers
• Name 3 video games you enjoy playing

📚Books, Learning & Creativity

• Name 3 books you read
• Name 3 school subjects you like
• Name 3 words you know in another language

🤹‍♂️ Fun & Hobbies

• Name 3 sports or physical activities you enjoy
• Name 3 things you like doing when you're bored
• Name 3 things you can cook or would like to learn to cook

😄 Personal & Imaginative

• Name 3 things that always make you smile
• Name 3 people who inspire you
• Name 3 things you’re really good at

🎭 Favorites & Fun Stuff

• Name 3 favorite snacks
• Name 3 favorite emojis
• Name 3 colors you like wearing

3. Activity “This or that?”

➡️In this activity, we suggest having some fun by choosing between two options and learning a bit more about each other along the way!

The student and volunteer take turns reading a “this or that” question, answering quickly, and optionally explaining their choice before switching roles.

• Dogs or cats?
• Singing or dancing?
• Be famous or be rich?
• Travel or stay home?
• Texting or voice messages?
• Painting or photography?
• Summer or winter?
• Learn online or in class?
• Math or Art?