using role play for language learning

Using role-play for language learning

Why use role-play?

Can help rehearse real life situations

Practise in a ‘safe’ environment

Can be…

…engaging …enjoyable

…memorable

May lower a learner’s affective filter…

..and build confidence

Could be

yourself

Or someone

else

What can roleplay teach?

Fluency or accuracy?

Good for:

Functional language

But also vocabulary practice and grammar practice

‘Authentic situations

Potentially authentic situations

Fantasy situations

Choose subject with care

Some practical examples

Starting from a dialogue

SK: Hello, what can I get you?C: I’m not sure – which cheese is the nicest?SK: They’re all nice, but this one is my favourite – would you like to try a bit?C: Yes, please…. Oh yes, it’s really tasty. How much is it?SK: That piece is £2.56. Shall I wrap it up?C: That’s great. Thanks.

Starting from a situation

Student A:You are going to London for a job interview next week and you can’t afford a hotel. An old friend lives there and you haven’t seen them for years - call your friend and ask if you can stay the night.

Student B:The person who calls you is someone you haven’t seen for 10 years and you haven’t kept in touch because you didn’t like them very much. You live in a very small flat in London and you hate having visitors but you are a very polite person.

To use role cards?..or not?

If you do....keep them simple....or they can

be distracting..

Visual aids Realia

A task to completecan help

Don’t forget to input useful language

Parents

TeenagersIs there any chance of –ingWould you mind if I –ed

I’d be really careful…

I don't think that’s a great idea.I’d like to but….

If you borrowed it, you’d probably….

Parents

Error Correction

If you would borrow the car, you would crash!

Please let me to borrow it!

You will accident.

Note that it’s important to:

Give time for preparation

Input language

Make opportunities for repetition

And give feedback

‘Real play (Scrivener’)pp222

Scrivener: ‘Real Play’

Who are the two people?Where are you?What are you talking about?Why are you talking?What happened just before this?Is any other information important?What are some points that will come up in the discussion?What would be a good result?

Scrivener ‘Learning teaching’

Other ideas…

Golden rules for role play

Golden rules for role play

Believe they will work!Give a model.. and/orGive preparation time A specific task to completeLanguage inputRepetitionFeedback

A useful book

Have fun!

Thank you!

[email protected]

using role play for language learning

Education