Edstrom, A. (n.d.). Preparing an L2 Role-play: How Students Manage L2
Deficits. Canadian Modern Language Review, 274-297.
Annotated Bibliography
The journal article, Preparing an L2 Role-play: How Students Manage L2 Deficits focuses on role-playing activities for the implementation of the second language (L2) / foreign language (FL) in a classroom. Additionally, the Journal article examined role-play activities and provided insight in how educators can incorporate more useful lessons into second and foreign language classes. Interestingly, one of the greatest obstacles were vocabulary and grammar during the preparation phase of the role-play. Role-plays provide real-life opportunities to simulate scenarios within the classroom, and these barriers were a result of insufficient preparation, including a limited amount of knowledge of the language required for the activity. Consulting the teacher was the most effective strategy to solve their limited linguistic accuracy. During role-playing activities, it was described that there were few opportunities for language if it were too simple. One of the strategies that were suggested were activities or games that focused synonyms/antonyms, paraphrasing, and circumlocution. Another recommended approach was collaborating amongst the student. However, there were challenges linked to collaboration. For example, learners were affected and influenced the willingness to engage in these activities based on personalities, proficiency levels, and interactional styles. A third recommendation during role-playing activities was to provide the substantial amount of time in class preparing scripts. Providing more time in class was beneficial because the drafts would receive feedback and provide students an opportunity to use a more linguistically accurate text. Additionally, teachers should keep oral communication simple and straightforward and provide students with vocabulary. The Journal author reflected at the conclusion about the limitations of the research. For example, the author recommends a large scale investigation to analyze the preparation of role-playing experiences of learners. Also, follow-up on the relationship between collaborative writing for performance and long-term retention of the role-play script.
Personal Reflection: