This is a step-by-step guide to offering role plays that give learners practice in describing a problem, asking for advice, giving advice--and giving and receiving feedback from peers. The article includes numerous sample prompts.

The classroom practices discussed in "Effective Second Language Writing" reflect various trends and methodologies; however, the underlying theme in this volume of the Classroom Practice Series is the need for clear and meaningful communication between ESL writers and their readers. While approaches differ, two core beliefs are constant: ESL…

Creative second language learning activities for high school and college students are presented. The 45 activites are task oriented, and conducted in a nonthreatening atmosphere, are performed in small groups without teacher supervision, and involve role playing. Four types of activities are described: (1) explanations of ambiguous concepts, (2)…

Features nine ERIC documents on the use of role playing in learning situations. (PD)

Describes techniques to teach culture in a beginning foreign language class which facilitate understanding of behavioral patterns, attitudes, and value structures, rather than merely providing factual information. These include audiomotor units, minidramas, culture capsules, and role-playing activities. Also discusses how cultural as well as…

Seven situations are suggested for role playing exercises, with facial and physical movement emphasized as well as oral skill development. Possibilities for improvisation, props, variations, and linguistic objectives are outlined for each situation. (MSE)

Outlines John Dewey's philosophy of education and describes the Creative Drama Seminar, a method the author has developed based on Dewey's pedagogical principles for students studying English as a foreign language in an Italian university. (CFM)

Students of a foreign language can use cartoons to hone their listening and speaking skills, widen their vocabulary, and improve their knowledge of syntax, grammar, and semantics of a language. Activities using cartoons include: (1) gap filling: (2) caption insertion and strip sequencing; (3) caption invention and story writing; (4) comprehension…

Guidelines and examples for using dramatization to teach elementary German are presented. Dramatization can be used productively as an aid to learning even at the very beginning of a course or in an academic environment that is hostile to innovation. In order to learn an utterance in a foreign language, the students must be able to project their…

Several articles of interest to teachers of English as a second language (ESL) are included. "Education for Citizenship" by A. D. Spicer presents the suggested content of a citizenship education course for newly arrived immigrants, as set forth by the Australian Adult Migrant Education Service. This course covers various aspects of personal…

A teaching method is described and illustrated that begins with the presentation of a basic dialogue containing new learning material and progresses to the group's acting out its own dialogues and discussing them with the class. The objective is to lead learners from understanding new material to using it creatively and, ultimately, for their own…

Role playing differs from the more static teaching technique of simulation in its incorporation of originality and theatricality. From preparation to presentation, it is important to retain the element of play, avoid techniques of or tendencies toward psychodrama, and hold the pedagogical or evaluative purposes in mind. (MSE)

Techniques for warming up, establishing group rapport, and setting in motion a role-playing activity are outlined. These involve physical games, communication exercises, oral skill development, and creative thinking. (MSE)

A familiar and effective way to provide classroom practice of foreign language skills in a meaningful context is role-playing. One variation, spontaneous group role-playing, offers a bridge between textbook dialogues and real-world dialogues. Especially appropriate for beginning and intermediate students, simultaneous group role-playing is a…

Extended in-depth role-playing and simulation, used effectively in the social sciences for some time, is seen as being a particularly effective technique for the intermediate level foreign language class. This paper describes a teaching unit of six or seven weeks, developed for use in the third or fourth semester of college level German, which…