Role-Playing Teaching (Part 9: Madness is Magic)
After a series of theoretical reflections, I want to offer you a unique experience of taking part in a RPG session designed for EFL teachers. If you’re lucky enough to take part in 4th Teachers’ Convention in Stryszawa (23-27.07.2018) or IATEFL in Wrocław (21-23.09.2018) you may have an opportunity of not only taking part in my workshop Role-Playing Teaching: Madness is Magic, but also enjoying a session as a player, with me as a game master.
If you won’t be able to take part in any of the events, I will probably organise online workshops and sessions so that you’ll see the magic of dice-rolling and storytelling.
I want to offer you two sessions to choose from – one may easily think that age is the main criterion of choice, however it isn’t so: there are adult people who enjoy My Little Pony and there are teens fascinated by the eerie horror of the Lovecraftian literature. Do not let the pink fluffiness blind your better judgement!
Call of Cthulhu
Adventure: Ties That Bind by Tom Lynch
Number of players: 2-6
English CEFR level: B2-C2
Language practice: we’ll focus on the communicative aspect of the language, mainly register and vocabulary use depending on situation (cop talk, society event, etc.)
Story: Ipswich, near Arkham, 1920s. Mrs. Enid Carrington, a wealthy heiress of one of the most influential families in town, only plans to build a beautiful fountain in her rose garden. However, there are certain things in motion that will prove the whole attempt unsuccessful. Old man’s memory, human greed, thirst of knowledge, madness… What may win against the dark shapes stirring in the shadows? The investigators will face abominable terrors, unspeakable horrors and ties that bind us all – will they attempt to break them? And if yes, at what cost?
You are going to play as: 1920s is a great period to follow an adventure – you may be a scientist, a private eye, a police officer, or even Mrs. Carrington’s best friend.
My Little Pony: Tails of Equestria
Adventure: The Pet Predicament
Number of players: 4-6
English CEFR level: A1-B1
Language practice: we’ll focus on how to implement English revision and communication into the game, how to encourage students who feel shy and how to support groupwork because friendship is magic, after all!
Story: There are many ponies in Ponyville, not only famous Alicorn, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and a lot of them want to become heroes. And sometimes even Twilight Sparkle needs help from her new friends! Will the ponies aid the Princess? Sometimes a simple quest may lead to great – and dangerous – adventures!
You are going to be: a typical young pony – you may choose whether you prefer being an Earth Pony, a Pegasus or a Unicorn.
As you can see, I may give you only two choices, but that’s how you’ll experience the variety RPGs offer. I haven’t chosen any typical fantasy system like D&D or Warhammer because, well, I believe not everyone feels like acting out an elf, but pretending to be a private eye in a 1920s film noir may be funnier and easier to try.
If you’re interested in joining the game, let me know after the workshops – or keep following my blog and FB page if you’d like to experience it online.
Let’s roll!
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