I remember at school when the teacher in French class would say we were about to do a role play exercise. Eyes would roll and groans would be audible. I, on the other hand, with my drama studies background, would be delighted. But then not so delighted because this was a room full of teenagers and you couldn’t show too much enthusiasm for risk of being labelled a total nerd. Sigh, teenagers.

This led to me thinking that awkward role plays were a thing of the past when I started teaching myself languages. Something I didn’t need, something I didn’t want, and definitely something I couldn’t do studying on my own. But I was wrong.

Role plays, whether it’s reading them in your language materials, speaking them aloud, or writing your own, can play a great role (pardon the pun) in your language learning.

They’re great for all elements of language, giving you a chance to practice reading, listening, writing and speaking. But they’re also an excellent tool when it comes to understanding the pragmatics of the language you’re learning.

Prag-a-what-now?!

I know, I know, fancy linguistics terms put people off language learning. But they don’t have to. Pragmatics is to do with considering the context of language in order to be able to interpret and respond appropriately.

This is where role plays come in. With role plays, especially ones you create yourself, you can consider context. Think about the specifics of the situations of the language you’re practising.

How many times have you carefully studied a language dialogue from your book, say a simple transaction in a shop, only to be completely overwhelmed and confused when the person in real life responds to your first question? Yup, me too. A lot.

The three role play structures below have been created to help you consider context, possible answers, and key words in those answers to help you keep the conversation moving.

Because many of us learn a language to travel, or will at least travel as part of the process, the three role plays below have been designed with travel situations in mind.

When it comes to creating context, this can be tricky if it’s something you’ve never considered for role play before. The questions below will help to get you started.

Context to consider that could affect the conversation:

How old is the person you’ll be speaking with? Will this affect the language you use?

How busy is it? Are they likely to be stressed/too busy and switch to English? (If they do, don’t be offended!)

It is a fancy expensive place or cheap and cheerful? How does that affect how they are likely to address you?

Have you been to this place before? Do you know the person you’ll be speaking with?

The introduction

I know, I know. I said three role plays, right? Well here’s a little bonus. It’s also worth getting a little introduction in the brain. Fill it in and memorise it.

Hello. Pleased to meet you.

My name is ___ (your name!) and I’m from ___ (where you’re from).

I live in ___ (where you live) and I speak ___ (languages you speak).

I’m learning ___ (language you’re translating this to) and I can speak it ___ (a little/well/fluently).

I’m learning ___ (language you’re translating this to) because ___ (why are you learning).

I like ___ (things you like that may help conversation).

The check in

Basic Conversation:

You: Hello. I have a reservation.
Them: Ok, can I see your ___ (ID/passport/reservation email) please?
You: Yes, here it is.
Them: Ok. Thank you. (after some time) Here is your ticket. (confirms details)
You: Thank you.

Possible Questions:

You: Can you confirm ___ (special meal requests are ordered/time of flight/etc)?
Them: Yes, it’s ___. // Let me check.

You: Where do I go next?
Them: ___ (learn key direction words to listen out for: right, left, straight ahead, in front of, behind, next to etc)

You: Will my luggage go all the way to ___ (final destination)?
Them: Yes, it will. // No, you’ll need to collect it in ___.

The shop

The possible elements of your role play here could be in various orders. I’ve put them in a logical order as best as possible. Use them to inspire and create your own role play to practice.

You: Hello. What is ___ (this/that/name of thing you don’t understand on a menu)?
Them: It’s ___.

You: Does it come in other colours?
Them: Yes, it comes in ___ (colours). // No, it’s just this colour.

You: What sizes do you have it in?
Them: We’ve got ___ (small/medium/large) // It’s just one size.

You: How big is it?
Them: Let’s see. // It’s this big. // There’s different sizes.

You: Is it ___ (learn adjectives you might want to say here)?
Them: Yes, it is. // No, it’s not.

You: How much is it?
Them: It’s ___ (onslaught of numbers! Be sure to learn about the currency of the country(ies) that speak your language so you know which numbers to listen out for)

You: Could you give me a discount or a special deal?
Them: Yes, you can pay ___ (amount) and I’ll give you ___. // No, I can’t make it any cheaper.

You: It’s too ___ (cheap/expensive/hot/cold/spicy/big/small)
Them: That’s a shame. // We have this one instead. // Try this instead.

You: Can I pay please?
Them: Yes, of course.

Them: Would you like a bag?
You: Yes, please. // No, thank you.

Them: Bags cost ___ (amount). Is that ok?
You: Yes that’s fine. // No, don’t worry.

Them: Do you have a loyalty card?
You: Yes, here it is. // No, and I don’t want one thank you.

The reservation

This conversation could take place in a restaurant, a hotel or perhaps a tour agency.

When you have a reservation:

You: I have a reservation.
Them: Ok, what’s the name? // Do you have a reservation number? // Can I see your ___ (ID/pasport/reservation email) please?
You: Yes. It’s ___ (name/reservation). // Here it is.

When you don’t have a reservation:

You: Could I make a reservation please?
Them: Yes. When would you like to make a reservation for?
You: ___ (day/date/time).
Them: Ok, I’ve added your reservation. What name is the reservation under?
You: ___ (spell your name! If you’re expecting to find yourself in this situation, become familiar with the sounds of the alphabet in the language you’re learning)
Them: Ok, that’s confirmed. Is there anything else I can help you with?
You: No, that’s everything that you.

Possibilities in a restaurant:

You: Do you have anything ___ (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/etc)?
Them: Yes, we do. // No, we don’t.

You: What do you recommend?
Them: My favourite is the ___ (learn key food vocabulary to help understand possible answers here).

Them: Where would you like to sit?
You: ___ (by the window/outside/inside/non-smoking/smoking/etc) please.

Them: Would you like anything else?
You: Yes, please. // No, thank you.

Possibilities in a hotel:

You: What time is breakfast?
Them: From ___ (start time) to ___ (end time).

You: Where is ___ (the gym/the swimming pool/breakfast/etc)?
Them: ___ (learn key direction words to listen out for: right, left, straight ahead, in front of, behind, next to etc)

Possibilities in a tour agency:

You: What time will we leave?
Them: ___ (day/date/time).

You: How many people will be on the tour?
Them: ___ (numbers!).

You: What exactly is included?
Them: ___ (you should be able to understand key words if you’ve seen a flyer. Perhaps listen for: food, transport, souvenir, etc.)