Teaching in a communicative way - Video
Role play is a valuable method for encouraging learners to communicate in the taught language. In the clips that follow, you will see a Spanish tutor and a German tutor preparing their learners to take part in a role play activity called, 'A mystery to solve'. This is based on the theft of a picture from an art gallery. Each learner takes the role of one of the protagonists as the investigation into the theft gets under way. The open-ended nature of the activity means that, with a bit of careful management by the tutor, all learners can participate, whatever their language level. It is therefore a resource that permits of differentiation by outcome.
This activity is available for you to download and use.
Watch how the two tutors make careful preparations for the activity. This is an essential part of making sure that all learners feel confident that they can manage the task adequately. The tutors' preparations include:
- introducing new vocabulary/or reminding learners of vocabulary they already know
- setting the scene; and
- requiring learners to do some relevant preliminary reading.
Notice how the tutors facilitate discussion at this point, encouraging learners to draw upon vocabulary and structures that they already know. The tutor gives learners the opportunity to explore, repeat, explain and discuss.
The tutors then go on to allocate roles according to what they already know about learners' language skills.