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TEACHING ENGLISH TO SOCIOLOGY STUDENTS THROUGH ROLE-PLAYING GAMES
Abstract
The article describes a role-playing game for sociology majors who study English as a foreign language. Drawing on the experience of American and Spanish authors we have developed a game that is instrumental in checking students knowledge of sociological terminology, translation skills and factual material. The rules of the game are easy to master even for people who have never played board games and its mechanics can be easily adapted to fields other than sociology. Anecdotal evidence from students reveals that they were captivated by the role cards, playing fields, the unpredictable nature of events, and the atmosphere of competition and cooperation. It can be played both in small groups of three to five students, or large ones (ten to fifteen people), in which case participants are divided into teams. In the course of the game students learn such concepts as social stratification, vertical and horizontal intragenerational mobility, ascribed and achieved status, budgeting, and dealing with uncertainties of life. These features make it a robust teaching and assessment tool that furthers students critical thinking skills, develops sociological imagination and raises students motivation.
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References9
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