Creating role-play scripts for language learning is a medium through which any and all new language aspects can be practiced in a relaxed, realistic and fun way. They can be constructed for all age-groups, can suit any language background and appeal to students from different cultures.
Dialog role-play scripts in particular, for the cast size depends on what the teacher is aiming for in the lesson, succeed because they allow for pair work, and real discussion between partners when practicing and preparing a dialog for presentation or acting in front of the class. Script work preparation enhances communication in shy students who don’t like to work in large groups.
Themes for Role-Play Scripts
Themes can be chosen from many sources, such as one based on a particular unit of study in the classroom at the time the teacher wants to work on dialogs. The Internet offers many ideas, and a random search for dialog role play and a desired theme will bring up a myriad of suggestions.
Parent and Child Role-Play Scripts for the ESL Classroom
The theme around parent and child is multi-faceted as conversations between these characters include babyhood through old age. This means that a script can be written for all stages of parent child relationships, and therefore use very basic vocabulary for low level students as well as the most complex structures for higher level learners. Here are some suggestions for role-play ideas for this theme:
- Parent and young child talk about eating / toys / shopping in the supermarket / playing a game
- Parent and elementary student talk about school / cleaning his or her room / choosing an extra-mural activity such as ballet, baseball, art
- Parent and teen talk about bullying / homework / sharing chores /anger /love/ friends / smoking
- Parent and young adult child talk about problems such as a boyfriend or girlfriend / having to move home / marriage / divorce / skin problems / leaving home to go to college
- Child and Elderly Parent talk about aging / home-care / needing to move into a senior home / philosophy about life / looking back at their lives / personal beliefs / feelings as an aging person
Success with Dialog Role-Play in the Language Classroom
There is a very personal element to the theme of parent and child. While many of the situations may demand a more serious, mature attitude to suit older students, role-play scripts on this topic can also be written on a very basic conversational level or be amusing and enjoyable, for example. Mostly, as every individual experiences a parent/child relationship, there will be shared feelings and experiences which may give insight into situations, difficulties, and complexities that make up family relationships.
Lucille Lever - Creative teaching ideas can be incorporated into any kind of lesson. As a teacher of ESL and creative drama for more than 30 years, in a ...
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