Build Confidence8 min Medium None
Back to Back
Pairs talk without eye contact — surprisingly easier for many students.
Removes the social pressure of eye contact — many anxious students speak more freely this way.
Instructions
Pairs sit or stand back to back. Give them a topic or question to discuss for 3 minutes — they can't see each other's faces. Then face each other and continue the same conversation for 1 minute. Debrief: what changed? What was easier without eye contact?
Classroom timer
8:00
Best used when
When students seem frozen by being watched — a stepping stone to face-to-face discussion.
Variation
Do it as a phone call — both hold an imaginary phone and sit side by side.
Time
8 min
Noise
Medium
Prep
None
How did it go?
Quick evaluation — helps you find what works again.