Tanzeel Insights (2)

Breaking the Ice in Online Qur’an Classes:

In this series of articles, we share Tanzeel's insights on teaching the Qur’an to non-Arabic speakers online.  

This article explores everything Qur’an teachers need to know about breaking the ice. 

What does it mean and why is it important to break the Ice?!

Breaking the ice in teaching refers to warm-up activities introduced at the very beginning of the class, which aim to prepare students for the lesson and keep them engaged and energetic. The time for icebreakers varies according to class duration, but an effective warm-up generally takes between 2 and 5 minutes. The main difference between icebreakers and lead-in activities is that the former are not necessarily related to the class content or the learning outcomes. Icebreakers can be a series of simple questions, a planned activity, or a game to help students cooperate and interact easily and without pressure. Having an engaging icebreaker is essential to online Qur’an classes for many reasons. First, it helps prepare students for the class by getting them engaged in cooperative and interactive activities, enhancing communication. Second, it helps create rapport between the teacher and the student as they cooperate effectively to complete the planned activity. Third, it enables teachers to gain a broader understanding of their students, their likes and dislikes, so they can plan the classes well. Also, icebreakers are an easy way to create fun in the classroom. Most importantly, breaking the ice activities are a beneficial tool for online classes to maintain a strong bond between teachers and students, especially in teaching the Qur’an. Moreover, incorporating creative icebreakers in online Qur’an classes changes the mental image about teaching and learning the Qur’an and helps students personalize their learning outcomes. 

Tips for Engaging Icebreakers!

Teachers should keep their icebreakers simple, clear, and easy to follow. This is because the main target is to get the student able to complete the activity successfully. Teachers are advised not to have challenging questions or difficult games in their icebreakers since this can complicate the whole process, causing adverse outcomes. In this regard, teachers need to explain the game or the activity to the students clearly to remove any confusion or misunderstanding. The careful choice of the icebreaking activity is another important tip. Teachers should not use the same activity over and over with the same student or use the same activities for all students without caring about students’ needs and age. Icebreakers should vary according to the students’ age, level, and needs. Also, they should be suitable for their interests and likes. Moreover, icebreakers should be creative and engaging rather than being a kind of boring routine. 

Teachers can either create their own icebreaking activities or adopt them from various online resources. They can create engaging games and activities, plan an activity, or even prepare a list of conversational questions about student-related matters or do online research for suitable icebreakers to incorporate in their classes. The following are some of the most common icebreakers to be used in online Qur’an classes: 

• A free conversation on interesting topics related to the student’s interests. 
• Simple “get-to-know-you” questions: students share their name, major, and a fun fact or answer a light prompt (e.g., “coffee or tea?”, “favorite book?”)
• Interactive games like a puzzle, a maze, or a game show competition.
•  Matching na fill-in the blank activities. 

What do we do in Tanzeel? 

In Tanzeel classes, all of our classes should start with an interactive icebreaker. Our teachers are always eager to use creative and subtle warmers in their classes. Our icebreakers take from 3 to 5 minutes, and they are graded according to the students’ level, age, and learning style. Moreover, Tanzeel teachers start the class by opening a welcoming conversation with the student about their main activities and interests, then they play simple and engaging games with young students or a competitive activity or a game show with adult students. Our teachers know the importance of active listening during the icebreakers, and they pay attention to using various tools, activities, and games for their icebreakers. And lastly, they seize the opportunity during this stage to praise the students and motivate them effectively.    

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “breaking the ice” mean in online Qur’an classes?
Breaking the ice means starting the lesson with short, light activities that help students relax, engage, and feel comfortable. It sets a positive tone for learning and builds communication between the teacher and student.

Why is it important to use icebreakers in Qur’an teaching?
Icebreakers help students feel welcomed and ready to participate, build rapport between teacher and learner, improve focus, and make the learning environment more friendly and interactive. They also help teachers understand students’ personalities and preferences.

How long should an icebreaker take?
Ideally, between 2 and 5 minutes, depending on the overall lesson length.

What’s the difference between an icebreaker and a lead-in activity?
An icebreaker warms students up without being directly tied to the lesson content, while a lead-in introduces or connects to the main topic of the day.

How can teachers choose the right icebreaker?
Teachers should consider the student’s age, level, interests, and learning style. The activity should be simple, clear, and easy to follow—not too challenging or repetitive.

Should teachers create their own icebreakers or use existing ones?
Both approaches work. Teachers can design their own activities or adapt existing ideas from online teaching resources to fit the Qur’an learning context.

How does Tanzeel apply icebreakers in its classes?
At Tanzeel, every Qur’an class starts with a 3–5 minute interactive icebreaker tailored to the students’ needs and level. Teachers might begin with a friendly chat, a short game, or a warm-up activity—always focusing on engagement, active listening, and motivation.

What benefits do icebreakers bring to long-term Qur’an learning?
They strengthen teacher-student bonds, build trust, make Qur’an learning enjoyable, and encourage students to relate personally to their learning journey.

By/ Dr. Ahmed Aly Zahran