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Since language does not belong to an enclosed and limited area but, quite on the contrary, is alive and flexible, students should be given the chance to use and play with it to allow them the possibility of learning through experimentation. This activity should be intended as a mid-year wrap-up activity.

Students should know how to: greet others, introduce others, indicate origin, express likes and dislikes, describe others, describe clothing, ask and tell ages, give dates, express possession, express frequency, discuss obligations, talk about schedules, ask and tell time, ask and answer questions, request food, discuss plans, sequence events, talk about places and people you know.

Students will grow more confident in the use of the Spanish language, incorporating mistakes into the learning process.

1.1. Students engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.3. Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
3.2. Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its culture.

- To practice all vocabulary related to food.
- To practice functional language within the context of a restaurant.
- To include in the activity other vocabulary and language structures previously learned.
- To have fun while learning the language.

Allow one month (at the time I had four 40 minute periods a week).

Pens, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, tape, paper, sample menus (from Hispanic communities), overhead projector, transparencies, video camera, VCR system, optional (make-up, costumes...)

Create a story, dialogue or script to be recorded:

a. Allow all students to participate both as actors/actresses as well as backstage hands. They will act out the dialogue they have created and help others with the arranging of the staging area (creating props, signs to put up, making-up, narrator in off-voice, final credits...)
b. Students are divided into small groups, each one will have to create a mini-dialogue at a restaurant. Each student must play a role in the sketch. Encourage students to be as creative as possible, using humor as much as possible.
c. Once the dialogues are finished, collect them in order to check expression and for informal assessment.
d. Students must memorize their roles and rehearse before actually recording it.
e. A regular VCR system should serve for editing purposes.
f. Show the result to the class and if possible, invite other classes over for the preview.

It proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable activity that students recalled long time afterwards.

E-Mail Miriam Castro !