Role-play
Role-play is any
speaking activity when you either put yourself into somebody else’s shoes, or
when you stay in your own shoes but put yourself into an imaginary situation!
Imaginary people – The
joy of role-play is that students can ‘become’ anyone they like for a short
time! The President, the Queen, a millionaire, a pop star the choice is
endless! Students can also take on the opinions of someone else. ‘For and
against’ debates can be used and the class can be split into those who are
expressing views in favor and those who are against the theme.
Imaginary situations – Functional
language for a multitude of scenarios can be activated and practiced through
role-play. ‘At the restaurant ‘checking in at the airport’, ‘looking for lost
property’ are all possible role-plays.
Why
use role-play?
It is widely agreed that learning takes place when activities are engaging and memorable. Jeremy Harmer advocates the use of role-play for the following reasons:
It is widely agreed that learning takes place when activities are engaging and memorable. Jeremy Harmer advocates the use of role-play for the following reasons:
It’s fun and
motivating. Quieter students get the chance to express themselves in a more
forthright way. The world of the classroom is broadened to include the outside
world – thus offering a much wider range of language opportunities .In
addition to these reasons, students who will at some point travel to an
English-speaking country are given a chance to rehearse their English in a safe
environment. Real situations can be created and students can benefit from the
practice. Mistakes can be made with no drastic consequences.
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