Simulations are one of the best ways to learn languages. I use this method extensively in my teaching and studies of languages.
In order to speak at the advanced level, you must be able to fully express a problem with details and request resolution. This activity provides a natural context. Think polite phrases, commands, subjunctive and honorifics.
This is a fun activity for people learning to make complaints politely in a foreign language. I love it because it is very communicative and it is fun making simulations the best way to learn languages. It recycles lots of lower-level language like greetings, time, and numbers. It gets a lot of higher-level language in there as well, such as politely complaining to try to get someone to take a specific course of action.
Here are the things that you’re going to need if you want to do it as I suggest:
1. A plastic rat, a plastic dog or cat or a bird- basically any animal that can be a pest.
2. A toy baby.
The sound effects that I have shared with you are the party, the loud speaker, the crying baby, screaming, cat and loud music.
We have the guest is checking in, and the person working reception. If you were the guest, here’s what you must do:
Guest
| Greet the person at reception in a culturally appropriate way |
| Check in |
| Say what your name is |
| Tell them how many nights |
| Thank them when they give you the key |
| When you get to your room, you need to go to sleep |
| Wake up when you hear the noise |
| Have a specific complaint |
| Call the desk and tell them what the complaint is |
| Have a specific course of action that you want for them to take |
| Thank them before you hang up |
Person at Reception
| Greet your customer |
| Help them check in |
| Ask about their reservation, etc. |
| Ask their name |
| Ask them how many nights |
| Ask them how they’re paying |
| Give them the key |
| Tell them their room number |
| Tell them to enjoy their stay |
| After they’ve gone up to their room, they’re going to call you with a complaint |
| Ask what the problem is |
| Listen to their suggestion |
| Propose something else |
| The problem needs to be resolved at the end of the dramatization |
If you’re a teacher, let your students know what some of the general problems are going to be, but don’t tell them which one they’re going to have. The person at reception will not know either. I suggest writing them down on little slips of paper, folding them up, and putting them somewhere. You could put them in perhaps a hat or something where they’re going to select what the actual problem is. Or you could just surprise them randomly, like Wheel of Names. Use the one that you feel like using. This is a really fun dialogue dramatization that gets lots of real life practice and is a whole lot of fun, too.
A fun way to do this during remote learning is to create a Google slide and add some pictures. Students get on your Meet and play the parts.
This works as an independent study activity, too. While you may feel silly doing this on your own. I suggest recording yourself after you have written out a script for both parts. Simulations are among the best ways to learn languages. They are great for polishing up some rough spots and learn a lot of vocabulary in context.
Do you teach Spanish? I created a CI course for teachers of beginners: Immersive Spanish Lessons
Do you want to know how long it takes to get to and through this advanced level? Check this out: Learning a New Language: How Long Does It Take?
I offer a course on this, too. Measure Your Progress and Fluency in Any Language