The Internet TESL Journal

3 Sets of "Listed" Roll Playing Cards

Page 2 of Bones of Contention: "Listed" Role Plays for Students of Oral English

Figure 1

Role Play A

You 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:

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 Play B

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:

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

Figure 2

Role Play A

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:

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

Role Play B

It 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 (ganko) about wanting to drive home!!

Role Play C

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:

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

Figure 3

Role Play A

You 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:

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 Play B

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

The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. III, No. 9, September 1997
http://iteslj.org/