The following ideas are not role-plays or simulations (although many of them
can be adapted as such). The objective here is total spontaneity and
improvisation. Students have no time to prepare. Their roles and situations are
given to them on the spot and they have to react immediately. Generally, the
less details that are given to students, the better. This allows their own
imaginations to construct situations and ensures richer dynamics.
Teachers are sometimes afraid that students may not be able to cope with
improvisation. In reality, it is surprising just how imaginative students will
be (subject to level, of course). They can usually be relied on to give more
than they are asked for. But if, on the odd occasion, an improvisation does not
work, flogging a dead horse is a sure-fire way to prolong the agony.
It is often helpful to give students conflicting objectives to ensure a more
difficult resolution. For example, in the case of The Hypochondriac, the Doctor
should not know his patient is a hypochondriac and the patient should not know
that he is consulting a particularly tight-fisted doctor. (Whether the students
themselves know of this is a decision for the teacher.)
The following ideas are just that - ideas. They can be modified, adapted,
changed, rethought, distorted, simplified, made more difficult etc.
In general, begin classes with pairs to warm up and finish with groups.
Pair Improvisations
The Small Ad. For sale/To rent/Friendship. Student A has seen a
classified ad in the paper. Student A decides for herself the subject of the
ad. She then chooses any other student (Student B, who has placed the ad) and
calls her about it. "I'm calling about your ad for a live-in
nanny..."
The Hypochondriac. Student A is a hypochondriac determined to have as
many pills as possible. He consults Student B who is a doctor strongly averse
to giving out pills willy-nilly.
The Loan. Asking to borrow. Then asking for repayment.
The Career Counselor. Student A has lost her job. She consults a
career counselor about a suitable new profession. Lots of questions and advice
(modals).
The Clairvoyant. Student A consults a clairvoyant. Asks questions
about lover, money, health etc.
Parent(s) and Child. Child returns home late/doesn't want to go to
bed/doesn't want to get up etc.
At the Pearly Gates. Individual interviews with St Peter to gain
admission.
The Journalist and the Famous Actress. 1 Journalist tries to get
interview. 2 Interview. 3 Actress is not at all happy with what is printed and
complains (to journalist or editor etc).
Directions. A young girl stops passers-by in the street and asks for
help/directions in finding an address.
Telephone Chain. Student A calls any student (Student B) about
anything. When conversation finished, Student B calls any student (Student C)
about anything. Keep the chain going. Must be fast. Good for warm-up. The
answering student must make the next call (to maintain the dynamic).
The Tourist. Student A goes to another country (or planet) and calls
home to tell Student B all about it.
The Chance Meeting. Two people who have not met for 5 years meet in a
café/at a cocktail party etc. Ex-girlfriend, ex-boss etc.
The Answering Machine. Student A calls B and gets answering machine
(B's voice). Leaves message.
Group Improvisations
The Fire. Detective or journalist interviews witnesses (one of whom
may be a suspect) about what they saw/heard/did. (The Fire can be changed to a
Bizarre Noise, Disappearance, Murder, Theft etc). Lots of questions and past
simple.
The Hold-up. Group of gangsters planning a hold-up. "Stop. Now
it's two days after the hold-up and you're all in prison. Now discuss what
actually happened, whose fault etc." Could be a Hi-jacking.
Socio-economic Inquiry/Comparison. Journalist interviews other
students about their countries (hours, mentality, capital, pay, recreation
etc). Suitable for mixed-nationality classes.
Television Interview. Filmstar, politician, sportsperson etc.
Television Program. Presenter interviews group of presidential
candidates (or writers, film-makers etc).
Press Conference. Group of journalists interview a politician (or
sportsperson, filmstar etc).
The Amnesiac. Student A is in bed in hospital, having lost his
memory. The other Students are medical staff, police officers, visitors
(family, friends etc) who try to bring memory back. They must be careful. A
shock could be fatal.
The Extra-terrestrials. Two female aliens have come to Earth. Their
appearance is totally human. Their mission is to procreate because they need to
repeople their planet. They accost any unsuspecting male they can find, asking
discreet questions to test them and so find suitable mates. They must be
careful not to reveal the truth to the males because this will frighten them.
The Putsch. 1 Why: Guerrilla chief explains to followers. 2
Commitment: one or two outsiders want to join - therefore interview to test
suitability. 3 Preparation: planning meeting. 4 Afterwards (in prison):
interview with journalist about what went wrong.
Teachers' Meeting. Teachers discuss imaginary students to decide who
should continue next year. One teacher is the "chairman" and has a
list of students ("Now we'll discuss Erika...")
The Neighbour. A neighbour who needs to sleep or revise etc knocks on
door and complains about the noise from a party.
The Adulterer. Starts with wife and lover. Husband arrives. Or vice
versa.
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