Decision Roleplay--Sam
Name: James Davis
Time Required: 45 minutes
Area(s) of Emphasis: Listening Reading Conversation

Students' Level of English: Intermediate Advanced
Materials Needed:
Copies of the handout below for each group.

Objective(s): Students will be able to:
practice listening and reading
articulate their thoughts through role playing
articulate a response to a fictional character's problem

Procedure:
Students are divided into groups of six (or less). Each student is assigned a
role.

Copies of the handout are distributed and teacher reads aloud the problem as
students follow along.

Each person roleplays according to character and tells "Sam" what he should do, while "Sam" or others may ask them to clarify what they mean or disagree with them.

"Sam" then leaves the room and tries to come to a decision.

Others try to predict "Sam's" decision.

"Sam" returns to tell her decision and reasons to support it.

 
Decision Roleplay--Sam

Sam has a problem. He recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's degree in Electrical Engineering. Needless to say many companies are recruiting him. So far he has received 10 job offers. He rejected most of the offers, but he has narrowed his choice to two companies. The first company is Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company has offered him $55,000 a year including benefits, such as health care and paid vacations. In addition he will have the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder. Sam's father used to work as a car assembler for Ford and wants his son to work there. Ford is a famous company and it will give Sam's family status. The $55,000 will help him pay off his student loans. The money will also help Sam and his wife to
raise a baby which they are planning to have next year. Sam's friend Mike,
however, recommends that Sam not take this job. He is concerned that at such a large international company, no one cares for a single engineer. He is afraid that Ford will be too impersonal for Sam. The second company is a small manufacturing company near his parent's house. They have only offered Sam $30,000. But the company really wants to use Sam's skill to improve their product. They have promised Sam that with his skills they will be able to grow considerably. The company has said that it would eventually like to make Sam a partner. Sam has been impressed by the workers at the company. They are all hard working and goal oriented. He is sure that he can work well with these people. In addition, Sam's mom wants to have her son nearby. While Ford's offices are in another state, this company is located very near his mom. It would be good to raise their children near Sam's mom. The pay is a big problem. Sam wants to buy a house and pay off his student loans. He is afraid that he will not be able to afford to have a baby.

Sam has just a week to make a decision. What will he do?

Roles:
SamSam's wife Sam's dad
            Sam's momFord representative Owner of small company
            Mike (the friend)
   

Each of you tell Sam what you think he should do. (Remember to give the opinion
of your role, not your own personal opinion). Sam or others may ask you to
clarify what you mean. They may also disagree with you. Sam will listen to each
person's opinion. Then we will stop. Sam will leave the room and the group will
try to predict his answer. Then Sam will come back into the room and tell his
decision and why he decided that way.