Lesson Plan

This role play was adapted from ESL Role Plays.

Description – A group of friends is trying to decide what movie to see.

Preparation – Copy / cut role play cards before class. Prepare one role play card per student. Prepare a list of movies currently in theaters (preferably with images of the movie posters). Optionally, students can look up movies currently in the theaters on their phones.

Warm up

Divide the class into groups of four. A group of three can be made if necessary. Write this question the board: “What makes you want to see a movie?” Have students discuss the question. Elicit some of the students’ thoughts.

Note – The discussion questions are about movies in general. Depending on the teacher’s preference, the discussion questions can be used during the warm up, wrap up, or as a supplement if the activity runs short.

Set up

Hand each student in the group a role play card and give them time to read it. If you have a group of three, you can take out one of the role cards. Tell students they shouldn’t show their group members their card. Explain any unfamiliar vocabulary from the cards.

Show students the list of movies currently in theaters or have them look up a list of movies currently in theaters. Give them a little time to look over them and decide what movies they would be willing to see based on the instructions on their card.

Explain that at the end of the role play the group must decide on just one movie to see.

Role play

Students can stay seated or do their role play standing up. All groups in the class will do the role play at the same time while the teacher monitors and makes notes of common errors. Try not to interrupt or interfere with the role play unless absolutely necessary.

Give students around seven minutes to complete the role play. The role play may run short or long depending on how outgoing and confident your students are.

Once it looks like one or two of the groups are finishing up, give the other groups one or two minutes to finish their role plays and decide what movie to watch.

Wrap up

When everyone is finished, go around the class and ask groups which movie they chose and why.

Discussion Questions

• What is your favorite genre of movie?
• Who are some of your favorite actors?
• What kind of movie is best for a date?
• Do you cry during movies?
• What is the best movie you have ever seen?
• What was the scariest movie you have ever seen?
• How often do you see movies?
• Do you usually watch movies at the theater or watch them at home?
• Do you buy DVDs or download movies?
• What is the best snack to eat during a movie?
• What do people do during movies that really annoys you?
• Which is more important, acting or special effects?
• If you could make a movie, what would it be about?
• If someone made a movie of your life, what kind of movie would it be?

Movie Role Play Cards:

You can view and download a PDF of the Movie Role Play Cards here:

I hope you find this role play useful in your classes. You can download the full Microsoft Word version of this role play or the full PDF version of this role play. If you liked this role play, please consider purchasing the book it came from “ESL Role Plays: 50 Engaging Role Plays for ESL and EFL Classes”