role playing in efl classes

How structured role playinggames can overcome

children's confidence gap inlearning English

Cristina Alexandra C. MA in ELT

“Show me and I forget; teach me and I remember; involve me and I learn” - B. Franklin

Learning games

Learning games promote educational achievement in EFL classes by providing learners of all abilities with a safe artificial and fun world that it is carefully controlled by the teacher

What is role-play?

Role-playing is an instructional technique which involves a spontaneous acting out of a certain situation or condition

Role-plays are important learning activities in which students assume a role to practise a variety of language skills.

Why use role-play? Benefits

- Teaches empathy- Simulates authentic language

experiences- Provides a memorable learning

experience- Adaptable for multiple levels- Decreases inhibitions and increases

motivation- Builds confidence- Develops social skills

Disadvantages or Limitations

Role-playing is time consuming Learners are unable to identify

with the characters or situation Learners with talent often

monopolize the situation Learners who lack the

necessary skills

Role-playing-effective teaching method?

- Major publishers of role-playing games consider them to be a form of interactive and collaborative activities

- Role-play is a hands-on (experiential) approach for learning

- Students learn through active involvement

Why do role play in class?

Practice for real life situations Speaking and listening skills

used Fun To recycle previously learnt

vocabulary To improve fluency

Making a role-play successful

Model Language support Have realistic goals Use realistic scenarios Use realia and visual aids Bring situations to life Keep it real and relevant Error correction

Learners need to know

who they are

where they are

what they are there for

The role of the teacher

a) facilitator-new language to be “fed” in by the teacher

b) spectator-the teacher watches the role play

c) participant-the teacher involves and takes part in the role-play

ROLE-PLAYS - examples The teacher tells the class that they

are extraterrestrials who, for the first time, are coming into contact with earthly objects such as toothbrushes, watches, light-bulbs and keys. Without reference to human civilization, the participants must draw conclusions about the objects' function. This role play will stimulate students to use their imagination and challenge them to think and speak as well.

ROLE-PLAYS – imaginary situations At the restaurant Checking in at the

airport

Speaking on the telephone

A: You are calling your friend Ken. You want to invite him to a party this Friday.

B: You answer the phone. The person on the other end of the line wants to speak to Ken. You don't know anyone named Ken.

CONCLUSION

Benefits range from increasing empathy and motivation to providing authentic experiences with the language

Can be used to teach grammar as well as communication skills, fluency and cultural factors

Will provide a memorable learning experience that the students can draw from to help navigate life outside the classroom