“I’m finished! Now what?”

Every teacher has heard a student say this, probably multiple times a day, and it can be particularly tricky in an ESL/EFL class where the teacher normally has a set number of pages students have to complete per day: no more, no less. It’s even trickier in a class of students with a wide-range of ability levels where some students often finish earlier than others.

So what can students who finish every assignment early do?

Here are 10 ideas for productive and quiet activities for those fast finishers.

1. Read a book or comic book.

Reading is an excellent way for students to spend their time. If the teacher creates a small classroom library, then that’s even better!

2. Write a note to your teacher or classmate.

Writing notes is a quiet fun way for students to practice their English, so why not encourage it?

3. Study your vocabulary list.

Most classes will have a spelling list or vocabulary words for an upcoming test, so let students get out their lists and quietly practice during downtime.

4. Complete a puzzle worksheet.

Have a stack of puzzle worksheets on your desk for fast finishers. Some of my favorite puzzle worksheets for ESL/EFL classes are the following.

Word Ladders from Teachers Pay Teachers

3 Fun Present Perfect Worksheets

Rhyming Words Activities from Teachers Pay Teachers

5. Create a word search.

Have a stack of blank word search printouts for students to make their own word searches during downtime.

6. Tidy your area.

Students can tidy their desks, backpacks, or folders if they finish an activity early.

7. Write a story or comic book.

Students can come up with their own story or comic book during their free time. It’s a great creative way for students to practice their English.

Create Your Own Comic from Teachers Pay Teachers

Write a Story Book from Teachers Pay Teachers

8. Draw a picture.

Sometimes students need a break and a great calming activity is drawing, so why not encourage it?

9. Do your homework.

Some teachers don’t want students doing homework in class, but it doesn’t really matter if students do their homework at home or in school. Extra practice is extra practice!

10. Have a quiet chat with your classmate.

If it doesn’t really matter if students are quiet or not, then let them have some downtime. Students need breaks just as much as teachers do, so a good reward for finishing an activity can be letting students stand up and go talk to their friends if they finish early.

What other ideas do you have for fast finishers? Let us know below.