Author: Deb Bullock | Published on 1 October 2023
Read what a teacher says about this activity:
I use Vanishing dialogue to practise a range of functional language for different situations, for example, arranging to meet, agreeing and disagreeing, etc. It’s a good activity because it helps learners to remember useful phrases such as ‘I’m not sure I agree’ or ‘Shall we meet up after school?’. And it’s popular with learners because they like acting out their own dialogues afterwards.
Stage 1: Introduce
Draw/stick a picture of a situation on the board (e.g. a teacher and a learner at the front of the classroom).
Explain the situation: the learner is making an excuse about not doing their homework.
Elicit language associated with the situation. Write these words and phrases around the picture. (E.g. I’m so sorry … The thing is… The problem is … I have a good excuse etc.)
Elicit a short dialogue of 4–6 lines and write it on the board.
Stage 2: Drill
Divide the class in half. Group 1 will play the teacher, Group 2 will play the learner.
Choral drill the dialogue so the different groups take the different roles:
- Model the first line of the dialogue, Group 1 repeats. Model line 2, Group 2 repeats. Continue to the end.
- Groups swap roles. Repeat the drill.
To help learners remember the phrases, repeat one more time using a different voice, e.g. quiet, high, deep, funny, etc. so learners don’t become bored.
Stage 3: Erase the dialogue
Erase 2 or 3 words. The class repeats the dialogue in 2 groups.
Erase 2 or 3 more words. The class repeats the dialogue in 2 groups.
Continue to erase words and ask the class to repeat the dialogue until the dialogue has vanished.
Pairs repeat the dialogue from memory.
T: Portia, where is your __________? What’s your ________ this time?
P: The ____ ____, I did it but then I forgot it. I’m so _________.
T: Well, make sure you ______ ______ ________.
P: I will.
T: And next time _______ ____________.]
Stage 4: Extend and share
Ask pairs to create their own dialogues using the functional language. Encourage them to be creative, e.g. My uncle’s chicken ate my homework.
Pairs act out their dialogues in groups.
Volunteers act out their dialogues for the class.
What functional language could you practise with Vanishing dialogue?