What is an Icebreaker?

The term “icebreaker” comes from the phrase “to break the ice”, which in turn comes from special ships called “icebreakers” that are designed to break up ice in the arctic regions. For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it needs to have the ability to propel itself onto the ice, break it, and successfully clear the frozen debris from its path to make it easier for other ships to travel.

In the same way, icebreakers are structured activities that are designed to relax learners, introduce them to each other, encourage conversation, energize them in what is normally an unduly formal atmosphere or situation, make them feel more comfortable, and lead them into a lesson or topic of discussion.