This simple role-play has worked like magic with every class I've tried it with. I've tried to provide enough direction and suggestions that students take an interest in the activity and don't take forever deciding what to talk about, and that students of different levels can participate in the activity together. At the same time, I've also tried to leave room for creativity. Just print out one copy per group of six, and cut the sheet into individual role cards. Give each group one set of role cards, and explain that they are all part of the same family and should create a dialogue. You could also set a specific time/scenario, i.e. it's Sunday evening right before dinner time. Also explain that the suggested lines can be read by the students in the dialogue, but students can and should add their own lines too. Have groups act in front of the class after preparing together.
