Creative Thinking

Creative Thinking Techniques

These worksheets and guides are based on the creative thinking work of Edward de Bono. They are designed to help learners practice lateral thinking and divergent brainstorming while also building fluency in English.

In my classroom, I’ve adapted these techniques for English learners so that they don’t just practice creativity for its own sake—they use these activities to speak more, develop flexibility, and communicate ideas in pairs and groups.

Why Creative Thinking in Language Learning?

Creativity is not only a 21st-century skill, it’s also a powerful driver of language use. When learners brainstorm, imagine, or problem-solve together, they produce more language, negotiate meaning, and develop critical communication strategies.

The worksheets here provide graphic organizers and step-by-step models to make creative thinking accessible to A1–B2 learners. Each technique moves naturally into pair work, small group work, or structured task-based learning (TBL) sequences.

Techniques in This Collection

• Random Element
  A technique that introduces a random word or idea to shift thinking and generate new language. My adaptations include Random Element Toss and Random Element Spin, both of which add energy to practice.
  👉 How To: Random Element

• Idea Box
  A brainstorming organizer that helps learners build multiple ideas around a single theme. Great for integrating prior knowledge, practicing vocabulary families, and extending conversations.
  👉 How To: Idea Box

• Reverse Brainstorming
  Learners think in the opposite direction—for example, turning a positive into a negative. This works especially well for likes/dislikes and conditionals, and sparks creative conversations.
  👉 How To: Reverse Brainstorming

• Lotus Blossom
  A visual brainstorming tool where ideas “blossom” around a central concept. Perfect for generating multiple conversation pathways around a theme like making plans, phone calls, or social events.
  👉 How To: Lotus Blossom

How to Use

1. Begin with the How To guide for the technique you want to try.
2. Choose one of the worksheets to use with your learners.
3. Start with brainstorming or guided input.
4. Move into pair or group conversations using the brainstormed ideas.
5. Finish with sharing or presenting as part of a TBL sequence.

Explore the Worksheets

Scroll down to preview and download all the Creative Thinking worksheets in this collection.