German: Besucher(in) aus Deutschland Role-Play

Here is another role-play to help your German learners practice their speaking skills.

Ein(e) Besucher(in) aus Deutschland

Your family is accepting a German exchange student for a semester. The student has never been tot he U.S. before and calls you from Germany to get some preliminary information. He/She speaks little English, so the entire conversation will be in English. One student will play the role of the American student and one will play the part of the German student.

You should aim to cover the following:

- When is the student arriving?
- What will they be studying?
- Will they need any special accommodations?
- How many people are in your family?
- What do they look like?
- What do they like to do?
- What can one do in your city?
- What does your family look like?
- What kind of people are they?
- What types of food does your family eat?


Let us know what you think!

German: Im Cafe Role-Play

Here is another great role-play to give your students speaking practice for German:

Im Cafe

You are an American student studying in [Insert German City] for one year. While in a cafe you recognize one of the people at a nearby table. He/she is in one of your classes. Being friendly, you strike up a conversation with the German student. He/She asks you about your first few weeks at the university. You answer his/her questions, and use this opportunity to learn more about the city.

One student plays the role of the American student while the other plays the role of the German student. You should try to cover the following during the conversation:

- What you are studying
- What your professors are like
- What your schedule is like
- How the German university/city compare to your American university/city
- What there is to do and see in the German city
- The best places to shop for food and other necessities

Let us know what you think!

German: Conversation With German Exchange Student Role-Play

An American Student Meets a German Exchange Student

As you walk out of your History class, you meet a German exchange student from [Insert German City] who is in the class with you. Start a conversation with him/her.

Here are some useful suggestions for your conversation:
- The class, the professor, and the college/university [Insert your institution here]
- Where you live
- Differences in dorm rooms/campus life between the US and Germany
- What you like to do in your free time
- Your families and friends
- What you like to eat/drink
- Favorite music, TV shows, films, etc.
- Invite the German exchange student to have lunch/dinner or to hang out at a later time

Let us know what you think!

German: Roommate Role-Play 2

Here is another German role-play for beginner levels although it could be modified to suit more advanced levels as well. It could also be easily adapted for any other language.

A New Roommate

It's a new semester and you are moving into your dorm room. However, your roommate is already there. He/She is from Germany and is a little bit lost. Start a conversation and try to help your roommate with any questions/concerns he/she might have.

You should try to cover the following:
- Introduce yourselves (Age, Where you're from, majors, etc.)
- Ask when the German student arrived
- Talk about [insert your city/campus] and what one can do here
- Talk about the college/university life
- Discuss the rules in the dorm/campus - what is/isn't permitted
- Ask how you can help him/her and invite them to go with you for dinner
- What will classes and schedules be like
- Differences between American and German college/university studies
- Schedules
- Roommate Agreements + misc.


Let us know what you think!

German: Roommate Role-Play

Here is a role-play for lower level German courses. This can work for activities or as part of an speaking proficiency exam:

"Neue Mitbewohner(in)"

Imagine you are studying for one semester as an exchange student at [insert a German University]. You have just moved into an apartment and are meeting your new roommate for the first time. You are taking this time to get to know one another and learn about the other person's daily routine. Act out your conversation. One student plays the role of the American student, the other plays the role of the German student.

Use the following questions/statements as a guide:
- name, age, where you are from
- when you get up and when you go to sleep
- what you like/don't like to eat/drink
- what music, TV shows, movies etc. you like/don't like
- your class schedule
- misc concerns

Prep Time For Students Approx 5-8 Minutes

Let us know what you think!

7 Simple Role Play Situations

Chris here with some more ideas for activities to wrap up the weekend. Below are seven basic role playing situations you can use in your classes. The topics are adaptable to practically any level. You can prioritize and setup the vocabulary and grammar for whichever language you teach. Let me know what you think or if you have any role playing situations of your own that you like to use in class. Enjoy!


You are planning a trip to Berlin (or another city)

•  One Student plays the traveler and one plays the travel agent

•  Traveler asks about price, departure, arrival times, general questions about the flight & accommodations, tourist activities

At the restaurant: Splitting the bill

•  Two or more students are at a restaurant trying to split a bill

•  Students must decide how much each will pay and what tender, who will leave a tip, etc

•  One student can be added to play the waiter

You live are an American student who has just moved to (City X) to spend a year studying abroad

• One student plays your neighbor in the student dorm/apartment/suite mate while the other is the new arrival

•  The American students is a bit lost and asks several questions: where classes are, how to get to the various classes, where to shop for groceries etc

•  The German student gives explanations and advice

You are moving and want to sell your furniture

•  One or more students stop by and want to buy your furniture

•  Students practice negotiating prices and furniture vocabulary

Students discuss shopping for cars

• A small group of students is out shopping for cars

•  Students discuss what type of cars and characteristics in a car they are looking for, as well as price range

•  One student plays a salesperson who tries to convince students to buy a car

Students have just won the lottery

•  Discuss what they would do with the money

•  It can be required that they reach a consensus and must spend the money on something beneficial

Students act out a scene from a popular fairy tale, or create their own

• Very open-ended role-playing situation where students can be creative

French: Role-Plays for Elementary Levels (beginners to intermediate)

Hi all, Aurore here. Students love to work in pairs or small groups, this way they get to know each other and this makes a better overall atmosphere. They can practice their oral and written skills in a very fun way. Here you will find 7 role plays for elementary levels. It's easy and you review basic vocabulary like clothes, how to ask questions, how to describe things...

Jeux de rôle.

Jeu 1. Ton frère s’est perdu. Indique au policier son nom complet, son âge, sa taille, la nature et la couleur de ses vêtements….

Jeu 2. Une personne rentre chez elle. Elle surprend un voleur. Mais celui-ci s’enfuit. Tu es le policier qui vient lui poser des questions. Tu demandes à la victime de te raconter ce qui s’est passé, et aussi des informations sur le voleur.

Jeu 3. Un cousin est venu passer quelques jours chez toi. Tu lui décris ton école et il te décrit la sienne.

Jeu 4. Tu veux acheter un cadeau à ta mère pour la Fête des Mères. Le marchand te pose des questions sur ce que tu souhaites acheter et les goûts de ta maman.

Jeu 5. Ton grand frère a un beau vélo. Toi, tu n’en a pas. Tu vas demander le vélo à ton frère, mais il ne veut pas te le prêter. Imagine la discussion.

Jeu 6. Ta copine/copain est en vacances Aux Caraïbes. Tu l’appelles et lui demandes comment se passent ses vacances.

Jeu 7. Un copain te téléphone pour te demander pourquoi tu n’es pas venu à sa soirée d’anniversaire. Il faut que tu trouves une bonne excuse.