ROLE PLAY: A PANACEA IN THE LANGUAGE CLASS

Abstract

Although group work is highly recommended in the KBSM, role play has somewhat lost its role in the language class due to lack of resourcefulness and innovation on the part of some teachers. By employing this profitable pedagogical device, the benefits to be accrued are aplenty. It is a platform to implicitly infuse find reinforce the moral values relevant to Malaysian settings and culture. In line with the increasing prominence given to learner-centred teaching, role play also serves as a springboard to sculpture self-directed, empowered and autonomous learners. The real world is brought into the classroom in an experiential learning process and this in turn improves communicative competence. Regular use can also enhance self-concept and reinforce learning style preferences of relational learners. Role play ought to be more widely used through efforts at till levels. Teacher preparation programmes should play their part in raising the consciousness of pre-service teachers. The classroom culture and ethos must be revamped to provide avenues to hear the learners’ ‘voices’, Workshops and motivation programmes can be conducted for students to build confidence and develop conflict resolution skills, so that they can attain maturity in coping with complex decision-ranking processes through the enactment of roles in a multitude of situations.