Every teacher has probably used a role play at some point in his/her teaching career, but have you used them correctly? Look at this list of tips for getting the most out of role plays and see what you can do better the next time you have your students perform a role play!
- Role plays shouldn't be scripted - it is much more efficient to have students make some notes on their role play and then improvise than have them read word for word.
- Recording or taping the role plays is useful for giving feedback.
- Do the role play twice, letting students exchange roles the second time around. Or do it first focusing on fluency and then a second time focusing on accuracy.
- Try using role play cards. On each card write the student's role, the elements of the situation (e.g. Student A has to book a hotel room and Student B has to welcome the guest and help him book the room). Adding a complication is sometimes fun, too (e.g. Student A: You need breakfast before 6 a.m. and would like a room facing away from the street, Student B: You cannot find the reservation).
- Role play cards are useful, but don't forget to always give students a few minutes to study their role cards and prepare for the role play.