Submitted by: Thalia, CQ U Science and Technology

Materials needed: print out the guided roleplays (enough for each student)
Class size: 20-35 (Bigger classes are possible too, just less people can perform)
Duration: An hour and thirty minutes; I often use this as my midterm or final exam and give the materials to the students a week before to prepare.

Extra point to keep in mind: These can work with beginner students, but they will not have the creativity that the more advanced students will show.

Note: I found the idea for this and some of the sample role-plays at this website.

Objectives:

– Practice stating points of view and form persuasive arguments in real life conflicts.
– Bring role-plays to life using gestures, mood, tone of voice, and imagination.
– Take initiative to bring the conflict to a resolution

Introduction:

Go over objectives. Explain that each person will receive a role, and they must act it out with their partner/group to find a resolution. They should not let the other members of their group see their card. Start with the phrase you are given and then you can use your own words to paraphrase your list of arguments or invent new ones.

I. Application:

- Pass out the role-plays

- Give them a few minutes to read their cards and circle difficult vocabulary. I helped everyone with Role A with difficult vocabulary first, then Role B, and so on.

- Keep in mind imagination, mood, gestures, and tone of voice: Some students, for example, will play a young parent as angry and bossy. Others will act more helpless, begging the grandparent to change for the sake of the child. Encourage each student to uniquely interpret their character, before the role play begins the teacher should make it clear that choices such as these can be made. Student initiative must be clearly welcomed.

- Find a partner (if you are A find a B, etc)

- Have students face one another and envision each other, not as classmates any longer, but as the role – e.g., “A, this is your father/mother. B, this is your son/daughter. How do you feel toward each other right now in this situation?”

- Cue them to start: “Lights, Camera, Action!”

- Walk around while they are doing their role-plays and maybe jump in to heighten the situation

- Give them a one-minute warning and before finally calling halt (tell them it’s okay if they didn’t come to a resolution)

II. Reflection/Presentation:

- I gave points to pairs or groups that volunteered to act out their role-plays for class. Then the next time we did role-plays I let people who had not gone before have the first opportunity.
- After each performance ask other students relevant questions: Did either of them agree to change? What were some of the new arguments they added (if any)How was it resolved?

III. Class discussion (if time permits)

Guide a discussion centered around the theme of the role-play, e.g. Who has lived with a grandparent? Who was stricter? Do you think your parents were too strict or not strict enough? Would you do anything differently when you have children of your own?

The following are some example guided role plays, it’s easy to create your own too (if you do think of one please share it with me!!)Role A: ParentYou are the parent of a six-year-old girl. You are doing your best to bring up your child, and you are moderately strict. The big problem, you feel, is your own parent (your daughter’s grandparent), who lives with you. He/she is always spoiling your child. You want this to stop, and you will now complain to your parent. Here are some examples of the behavior that upsets you:

- Giving her too much candy & too many sweets in general (cakes, etc.)
- Allow her to leave her meals half-eaten.
- Letting her watch too much TV
- Buying her too many toys
- Allowing her to stay up as late as she likes
- Buying her whatever she wants in the supermarket
- (Think of MORE!)

You remember that your parent was much stricter with YOU when you were a child!

You will speak first. Say, “Mom/Dad, could we talk, please? There’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you.” Then listen and respond.

Role B: Grandparent

You are the parent of a grown-up child who has a six-year-old daughter. You live together, and these past six years you have really been enjoying being a grandparent. You feel it’s more fun than being a parent, because you have all of the pleasures of parenthood without the heavy responsibilities. In recent years, your philosophy of child-rearing has changed.

You now believe:

- Children should enjoy food & eat what they like.
- Forcing a child to eat can lead to weight problems.
- TV helps develop a child’s imagination.
- Toys & other playthings are essential to a child’s development.
- Children have lots of energy, and shouldn’t be put to bed too soon.
- It’s best to let children learn to make decisions (about shopping, etc.)

Right now you son/daughter wants to speak with you. He/she will speak first. Listen and respond.

Role A: Angry teenagerYou are 18 years old and you have always been a very good, obedient son. You make good grades in school, you do not spend time with bad kids, and you always set a good example for your younger sister. You want to go on a trip with some of your friends during the holiday, but your parents will not give you permission. You are very upset and you want them to change their minds. You argue that:

- They are always too strict
- Your friend’s parents all gave their permission
- You are responsible and they should trust you
- They should stop treating you like a child
- It is only a short trip, and they can reach your cell phone if anything happens
- They know your friends are good
- It will be the last time you can travel with your friends before leaving for college
- Think of more!!

You will speak first. Say, “Mom/Dad, I really want to go on this trip with my friends.”

Role B: Worried Parent

You are the parent of an 18-year old child. Your son wants to go on a trip with some friends during the holiday, but you do not think it is a good idea. You want to convince him that you are right and to stop asking. Your reasoning is:

- You know what is best for him
- As long as he is living under your roof, you make the rules
- All it takes is one time to do something he will regret forever
- No matter how old he becomes, he is still your baby
- You would be worried sick the entire time
- The world is a dangerous place with lots of bad people
- Once he has moved out he will have lots of chances to travel again.
- Think of more!!!

Your child will speak first. Listen to what he has to say and respond.

Role A: Son/DaughterYou are a young person who has decided to marry someone you love who comes from another country (for example, America). Today you’ll tell one of your parents of this decision, and ask for his/her approval. Below are some of the reasons why you think your international marriage will be successful (think of other reasons by yourself):

You feel that in such a marriage, you will:

- develop a broader point-of-view
- enjoy more straightforward, honest communication
- share cultural backgrounds
- have a chance to travel or live overseas
- be able to raise bilingual children

You will speak first. Say, “Mother (or Father), I have decided to marry a man (or woman) from (name of country). I hope that you will give your approval.”

Act your part!

Listen carefully to your partner!

Role B: Parent

You are the mother or father of a young person who has decided to marry someone who comes from another country (for example, America). Today your child will tell you of this decision, and ask for your approval. Below are some of the reasons why you think this international marriage will not be successful (think of other reasons by yourself). Argue against the marriage, but in the end, decide for yourself whether or not to give your approval. Below are some of your concerns (think of others by yourself): You worry that in such a marriage, your child will:

- quarrel too much over different ways of thinking
- have a limited relationship because of language barrier
- have difficulty with different customs, foods, etc.
- risk being separated from family and relatives
- raise children who are confused about their cultural identity (which culture they belong to)

Your child will speak first. Listen, then think and respond to what he or she says. Act your part! Listen carefully to your partner!

A: Annoyed RoommateYou have a roommate who just drives you crazy. You can’t stand it anymore so you have decided to talk to him/her about it. Some of the things you want to tell him/her are…

* I can’t concentrate on my studying.
* I’m always tripping over your things.
* Didn’t we agree to take turns buying food?
* (Think of more reasons!)

You will speak first. Say, “I can’t take it anymore! We need to talk!”

B: Full of Excuses

You’ve been living with one of your friends for the past six months. You can tell your roommate gets annoyed with you sometimes, but it doesn’t ever seem too serious. Besides, he/she isn’t perfect either.

* I can’t live without music!
* I have a bad memory.
* I’m a bit short of money right now.

Today, your roommate has something to say to you. Listen carefully to what he/she has to say and respond.

Role A: Concerned friendYou are worried about one of your good friends. You’ve noticed that he seems really sad lately. He has stopped attending classes, he won’t answer his phone, and he has stopped going out with friends. You went to visit him recently, and he looked like a complete wreck. He had not showered or changed his clothes for days, and it looked like he had not been eating properly. You are scared he might hurt himself if this continues. You want him to know that:

- He should come out and get some fresh air
- Whatever is on his mind, he can talk to you about it
- He has many friends and family who would not want anything to happen to him
- Hiding in his room is not going to solve any problems
- Think of more things to cheer him up!!

You will speak first. Say, “Hey buddy, you haven’t been yourself lately. Why don’t we have a little chat?”

Role B: Depressed

Recently you have lost your will to live. You are really depressed and ready to give up on the world and everyone in it. You feel like:

- You don’t ever want to get out of bed again
- Nothing ever goes your way
- If you suddenly disappeared no one would even notice
- The problems outside are too big for you to face anymore
- Living isn’t worth the effort

Your friend has something to say to you. Listen carefully to what he has to say and respond.

Role A: Worried FriendYou are worried that your friend may have developed an eating disorder. They rarely eat, and when they do, they pick at their food and push it around the plate and end up not finishing most of it. Or sometimes they’ll eat a lot at once, as if they’ve been starving for days. They always talk about being too fat, are constantly dieting or exercising or taking special pills to lose weight. You feel that:

- they have never been overweight
- they could become seriously ill and end up in a hospital
- it’s more important to be healthy and happy
- everyone you know thinks that he/she looks great!
- it’s what’s inside that counts, not appearances

You will speak first. Say, “Lately, you seem to have lost a lot of weight, I’m starting to get concerned.”

Role B: Dieting friend

You feel like you’ve put on some weight in the past few years. You’ve tried all kinds of things, but nothing seems to work. You’ve started making yourself throw up after meals sometimes, especially if you’ve eaten a lot. You’ve tried to keep that a secret from your friends and family. You think that:

- If you could just lose 4 or 5 kg, you’d feel much better
- It’s no big deal to skip meals or just eat something small like fruit
- you are unhappy about the way you look right now
- other people call you fat behind your back
- It’s hard to find a boyfriend/girlfriend unless you look like a supermodel

Your friend has something to say to you. Listen carefully and respond!

Role A: The concerned husbandYou have been married to your wife for eight years, and you love her very much. Recently you have noticed that she has been acting a little strange. She’s had angry episodes, sometimes even becoming violent. She has started coming home late smelling like beer. Yesterday, you found a bottle of alcohol hidden behind the washing machine. You suspect that she may have a problem and have decided to confront her. You want her to know that:

- You are worried about her recent behavior
- She should tell you what is bothering her
- You want to know what you can do to help
- It is not good for the children to see her like that
- She should consider getting professional help
- Think of more!!

You will speak first. “Honey, we need to talk. I think you may have a drinking problem.”

Role B: The alcoholic

You used to have a drinking problem when you were younger, but after you married you stopped and became sober. Recently, however, you have been under a lot of stress trying to balance a full-time job and raise your children. You started drinking again, a little bit at first, and then more and more. You feel that:

- You are in control of the situation
- You are tired of coming home after a long day of work and having to work all night at home
- The drinking just helps you relax
- You never drink in front of the kids
- Support groups are a joke and you’re not wasting money going to a doctor

Your husband has something to say to you. Listen carefully to what he has to say and respond.

Role A: Drunk friendIt is late at night. You are at a party with friends. You have drunk several alcoholic drinks and are quite intoxicated. You are in a very cheerful mood, feeling great. You had a wonderful time at the party. It is ending, and the host(ess) is saying goodnight. One more close friend is still at the party, also leaving now. He/she is sober, and planning to go home by train. You came to the party in your own car. It is a twenty-minute drive home. You feel confident that you can drive home, because you:

- have done it many times before
- know the way home very well
- have been much drunker than this before
- are sure that the streets are empty now
- are a very good driver
- are not afraid

YOU WILL SPEAK FIRST. In a slightly drunken voice, say to your host(ess), “Well, goodnight, and thanks a lot for a wonderful evening.” (Welllll, g’night, ann thankthalot fer a wunnerful evenin’!) Then listen and respond. Be STUBBORN about wanting to drive home!!

Role B: Sober Friend

It is late at night. You are at a party with a close friend. He/she has drunk several alcoholic drinks and is intoxicated. You have not drunk any alcohol yourself, and are sober. Now the party is ending. The host(ess) is saying goodnight.

Your drunken friend came to the party in his/her own car. It is a twenty-minute drive home. You came by train, and were planning to return the same way. But now you are worried about your drunken friend’s safety. He/she seems to be in no condition to drive home. What will you do? (you must decide and do it!!)

You are worried that your friend:

- will have an accident
- might be arrested by the police
- may injure or kill an innocent person
- will lose his/her driver’s license
- will not be covered by insurance
- may be hurt or killed

Person A (your drunk friend) will speak first. Listen and respond.

Role C: Host of the party

It is late at night. You have been hosting a party at your apartment. Now the party is ending, and you are saying goodnight to two good friends. One has drunk several alcoholic drinks and is quite intoxicated. The other has not drunk any alcohol.

Your drunken friend came to the party in his/her own car. It is a twenty-minute drive home. Your sober friend came by train, and was planning to return the same way. But now both of you are worried about your drunken friend’s safety. He/she seems to be in no condition to drive home. What will you do? You must decide something and do it!

You are worried that your friend:

- may get into a traffic accident
- could be stopped by the police
- may hurt or kill somebody on the road
- will have his/her driver’s license taken away
- will lose his/her insurance
- may be injured or killed

Person A (your drunk friend) will speak first. Listen and respond.

Partner A: The guilty friendYou recently had too much to drink at a party and kissed your best friend’s girlfriend/boyfriend. All of your other friends attended the party and saw what you did. You must have a talk with your best friend before your other friends do. You cherish your best friend and want to maintain that relationship.
 You:

- Feel very sorry for what you have done
- It was a mistake
- You were drunk
- It didn’t mean anything
- You don’t have any real feelings towards your best friend’s girlfriend/boyfriend
- Your friendship means a lot and you hope he/she will forgive you
(Think of more!)

You will speak first. Say, “There’s something I need to confess.”

Partner B: The betrayed friend

You have been dreaming about the future with your girlfriend/boyfriend and waiting for the right time to bring up the topic of marriage. You have have talked to your best friend about such feelings before. Now your friend tells you that he/she has kissed your girlfriend/boyfriend. What do you do? You:

- Can’t understand how he/she could have done that to you
- Feel betrayed and hurt
- Have told him/her many times how much your girlfriend/boyfriend means to you
- Do not know if you can trust either of them anymore
- Feel like you’ve been disgraced in front of everyone
- Do not know how you can forgive him/her
(Think of more!)

Your best friend will speak first. Listen and respond!

Role A: The confessor

You have a secret you have been hiding from your friends and family for a long time now. You have decided you cannot hide any longer and have decided to tell your brother your secret. You hope that he can understand why you did not tell him sooner and that he will continue to support you when you decide to tell everyone else. You feel that:

- You could not say anything before because you were scared
- You are still the same person, and nothing should change
- You are very vulnerable right now
- You do not know how other people will take the news
- People should just accept it and not try to change you
- Think of more!!

You will speak first. Say, “I have something important I need to tell you. I’m gay.”

Role B: The sibling

Your brother is about to confess a big secret to you that he has told no one else. You are very surprised. You love your brother, but you are not sure how to react. You think:

- How could this be possible? No one ever guessed.
- You do not know what to do now or how to deal with this new information
- Why did he choose you to tell first?
- He should be careful who he tells this to
- How can he be sure? It’s not normal, maybe he just needs to go see a doctor.
- Think of more!!

Your brother will speak first. Listen carefully and respond.