After learning the rules of the present simple (or simple present) tense, the teacher can write scripts using the structure for further practice. Pair work is successful as it enables real use of language because each pair has to discuss and practice the script, and then act it out in front of the class.
Practicing New Grammar Structures
The script writer, in this case the teacher (later the students could write their own dialogs), should try to focus on the relevant tense, but the content will always contain some words from another tense or unlearned structure in order that good flow and real language occurs in the script. Do not fear these words as they can always be explained to the students, and will appeal particularly to those students who always want more work, look for unusual vocabulary, and advance through extra effort.
The Present Simple in a Role-Play Dialog Script
Here is a script for a dialog that can be used by students of all ages. It uses mostly the present simple structure.
Script about Making Friends with an Elderly Person at a Bus Stop:
John: Hello. My name is John. I see you here every day. You sit here, alone. I don’t know you, but because I always see you here, I know your face.
Woman: Oh, hello. How nice of you to say hello. Every day I sit here and watch the people. I don’t ride the bus, I just want to see all the people.
John: Do you live with your family? Do you live near here?
Woman: My family lives far from here. I only see them once a week. They visit me here. I have an apartment in this city, but I feel lonely during the week so I come here. I bring a cup of coffee and a sandwich, two cookies and a candy.
John: Why don’t you go to a club to meet your friends or other people?
Woman: No, I like to be here. I drink my coffee, and eat my sandwich. After that I eat my cookies. When I finish the cookies I know that it is time to go home. On the way back to my apartment, I suck on the candy.
John: I think you are wonderful. What a nice idea you have. But, if you feel lonely you should go to the club at the park. They have a nice clubhouse and you can meet friends. You can talk and tell them about your life and what you do every day.
Woman: You are sweet. Thank you. It is nice to know that someone young thinks of someone old, like me. Well, I have no more cookies now, so, I am going. Bye John.
John: Goodbye. Maybe I will see you tomorrow.
Grammar role play ideas work successfully in most language classes, suiting most age levels and culture groups.
Related Articles:
Pronunciation Practice through Dialog Scripts
Grammar Role-Play Script Ideas for Esl Acquisition
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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