Role plays
This session introduces the advantages of role play to tutors. It gives some examples of different types of role play and provides information on how to prepare for them.
You will learn how to build up the skills and knowledge that learners need to carry out role plays. You can also explore how to set up and manage the role play, and how to use it for assessment. The advice will support a variety of CPD activities, particularly those related to more active learning and use of taught language.
See the links on the right for a related theme as well as for role plays that can be used directly with learners. The advice will also be helpful in preparation for the use of 'Chances', 'Menu' and cue cards and the 'Landmark' activity in the Resources section.
The activities are intended to be used by individual tutors who have never used role play, or who would like to develop more sophisticated resources. An indication of some of the advantages and disadvantages of using role play with adults from different backgrounds and abilities is included. Role plays are good for celebrating and promoting diversity. At the same time, be sensitive to learners' cultural values and beliefs when planning role play activities.
Further developments could involve more ambitious roles and scenarios, as well as exploring other resources, such as the Soap Opera activity in the QIA NTLCP MFL toolkit.
In role play activity, tutors may need to be sensitive to the possible literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) needs of their learners.
For further guidance go to the Skills for Life link:
New browser window: www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus.
If you are new to Skills for Life, this site is a useful general starting point which you can explore as required. The section on teaching and learning gives a good overview of the Skills for Life agenda. If you are already involved in Skills for Life, you may find it useful to receive the regular updates from the site. See also the 'Skills for Life guidance to teachers' resources in the link on the right hand side.