Objective
To help students practice speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills while getting to know one another in a fun and interactive way.
Level
All levels (can be adjusted for beginner to advanced)
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or digital board (optional)
Paper and pen (optional for prep)
Timer (optional for larger classes)
How to Run
Step One: Explain the Rules
Each student will think of three statements about themselves:
– Two are true
– One is a lie
– Try to guess which statement is the lie.
Step Two: Model the Activity
Start with your own example:
– I’ve eaten fried tarantula.
– I can play the ukulele.
– I speak five languages.
Ask students to guess which one is the lie. After they vote, reveal the answer and tell a short story about each truth (or the lie if you like!).
Step Three: Student Prep Time
Give students 3–5 minutes to think of their own three statements. Encourage them to be creative and make the lie believable!
Step Four: Sharing
Option A: Whole Class
1. One student shares their three statements aloud.
2. Classmates raise hands or vote on which one they think is the lie.
3. The student reveals the answer and gives a short explanation.
Option B: Small Groups
1. Students work in small groups.
2. Take turns sharing and guessing.
3. Walk around to monitor and support language use.
Step Five: Debrief
Ask students:
– What was the funniest truth or lie?
– Was it easy to guess?
– What did they learn about their classmates?
Tips for Success
For beginners, write sentence structures on the board:
“I have ___.” / “I went to ___.” / “I like ___.”
For shy students, allow writing instead of speaking first.
Encourage respectful listening and positive reactions.
Adaptations
Writing Practice: Have students write their three sentences first.
Themed Rounds: Only about food, travel, childhood, etc.
Online Class: Use polls or chat box for guessing.
