Duration
5 minutes — if it works well with your child, take as long as you want and repeat as often as you wish Age recommendation 0–6; 6–10 Key words role playing, using one language at a time Languages of the original source This activity can be used in any language. Materials needed The activity can be done on a trip: on the way to work, to school, during shopping, etc. ![]() | Aim of the activity To help using language in unusual circumstances. To enjoy their own family languages in a playful way and experience them as something special. Also that the family languages are special and not everybody is able to speak and understand them. Preparation for the activity None necessary – the activity is meant as an inspiration to use the family languages in everyday activities. For the part and for the event where parents act as tourist guides it may be helpful to do a little research on some of the buildings and streets you will pass in your town. Only requirement: Parents must “convince” the children to become a “tourist” during the trip. Procedure Parents and children play at being tourists. During the trip they do not use the national or majority language, but only their family languages. 1. Let the children lead a conversation about the buildings, street scenes all the familiar things they see every day, as if they saw them for the first time in their lives. 2. Maybe they, or you speak like a tourist guide, as you know more? – Try to “present” buildings or street scenes with their historical background, include descriptive or unusual stories. Or maybe you just try to present buildings or scenes just in a funny way. Significant benefit of the activity To act like tourist or tourist guides and to describe scenes and builidings support the development of the narrative competence*. Source of the activity Multilingual Families Project |