These are variations from an idea in the good TESOL book - Teaching Large Multilevel Classes.

New Class

Students write down three or so pieces of information about themselves.

Then, they mingle around the room sharing with the other students.

When they find someone with the same interest or experience, they make a note of it.

They also ask follow up questions.

After X number of minutes, join the class into one group again -

- and have them tell you (the teacher) what they learned about the others.

Current Events

Students are routinely told in class --- they must pay attention to the newspaper and TV news and other similar information sources week-to-week.

Periodically, we will do this activity:

Students write down 3 or more pieces of news they learned about recent world and national events.

Then, they mix around the room sharing what they remember and asking about what other students saw in the news.

After X number of minutes, regroup and have students tell what they learned from the others and who had seen similar news items as they had themselves.

Recent Personal Events

Do the same as in Current Events, but students will write about things they have done instead of news items...

From:  Teaching Large Multilevel Classes via Google Books