1. ROLE-PLAYING AND EMOTING FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING IN
VIRTUAL WORLDS: SETTING SCENARIOS AND WRITING
STORIES.
Evo Village 2016
Interactive Scenarios, Global Simulations and Role-Play games
applied in Virtual Environments
Dr. Doris Molero
Webheads in Action
Maracaibo, Venezuela

2. ROLE PLAYING GAME
 A role-playing game (RPG) is
a game in which players
assume the roles of
characters in a fictional
setting. Players take
responsibility for acting out
these roles within a narrative,
either through literal acting
or through a process of
structured decision-making
or character development.

3. EMOTING
 used for expressing oneself visually,
as opposed to verbally.
 done in 3rd person.
 most often used to express feelings,
gestures, and creating images.
 Emoting uses an action-reaction-
emotional response element.
 Characters do something (or
something is done to them), they
react to it, and they feel something
about that reaction.

4. HOW ROLE PLAYING AND EMOTING HELP STUDENTS
LEARN AND PRACTICE ENGLISH
 Students improve their use of
vocabulary and expressions,
writing skills as well as their
critical thinking skills.
 Low level students role play in a
slower pace. One liner reactions.
Higher level students can work
on more thoughtful exchanges.
 Students get time to think, write,
read and consider what they
want to communicate.
 Back channeling allows student
to get help when needed from the
teacher or fellow role players.

6.  Students get the chance to
use language in different
contexts, with different
characters and different
scenarios.
 It allows student to discover
and experiment with new
ways to express ideas,
feelings and emotions.
 Students learn from models
and the counseling of more
experience role players.
HOW ROLE PLAYING AND EMOTING HELP STUDENTS
LEARN AND PRACTICE ENGLISH

8. SAMPLE ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE USED IN THE EFL
CLASS THAT ROLE PLAYS.
 Elements of Literature
 Debates About Cultures
 Keeping a Journals
 Character Analysis
 Participating in festivals
or celebrations
 Character Posters
Design
 Oral Presentations
 Quizzes / Tests
 Interviews
 Machinima Making
 Situational Role play
 Participating on quests

9. Emote text :
You usually use it when your character is doing something. It is
similar to speaking in local chat except that you add "/me" in front.
For example if your Second life display name is Gwen,
typing "/me looks at Pionia" would appear as "Gwen looks at
Pionia“
Simply using /me is enough to describe an action.
/me

10. If you want to speak while making an emote, you would
additionally need to use quotation marks.
Example:
Pionia is busy sharpening her blade when she hears the distinct
sound of footsteps on the pavement behind the trash bin she was
sitting next to. "Who the hell is there!?" She calls out as she
rises quickly switch blade in hand.
This one's a little more dynamic. All of the text will show up as an
emote, but the quotation marks denote that John said something.
“ Quotation Marks “

11. Sometimes you can also include what it is
in your mind while you are emoting. You
do so by using asterisks.
Let’s look at the example:
Ellie Stewart walks through the doors of the
potions room, gathers all of her belongings
placing them at her feet before pulling out
her parchment and quills. Sighs *I’m not
ready for classes to begin again!* Her
head is still in the clouds from having such
a wonderful summer. Her attention is drawn
to the door when she hears it pushed open
and she spots her best friend Emma
walking into the classroom. "About time
you got here!" She says quietly as she
grins at her friend.
*asterisks*

12. (OOC) Out of Character: Using
brackets (( )) around your text let's
other role-players know that it is you
(the typist) and not your character
who is speaking.
Most role play SIMs limit OOC text in
local chat. If you must direct OOC
communication to a specific person,
Do so in IMs.
Use OOC in local chat only if you
need to address everyone in the
vicinity. For example ((Brb)).
Please note that abbreviations such
as Brb, l8r, cya which are okay for
OOC chatter but they must never be
used in role play.
OOC brackets (( ))

13. God Mode is to effect another character's
actions or story without specific permission.
Respect the actions of the people around
you, and don't assume you can act, speak
or react for their characters.
Look at the example:
::Grabs Meg by the hair and drags her
outside::
this gives Meg no chance to react, dodge or
fight back. She is made to go along with this
action with no recourse.
The way to do it would be:
::Makes a snatch at Meg's hair to try and
pull her outside::
This gives her a way out or to smack your
fingers with a wood spoon if she's quick
enough.
NO GOD MODING

14. Fast paced = quick
response or the one liner”
Bob throws the ball.
Jane misses the ball and starts to cry.
Bobs laughs at her. "Silly girl, don't cry.
It’s just a game!" He gets ready to throw it
again.
This example is a basic form of emoting.
It shows a dramatization, description of
an action or reaction, dialog and a
prompt.
This is suitable for beginner role-players
or lower level students.
New role player or Low level
students

15. Role player – High level student
Slower paced = longer more thoughtful
response.
The elf jumps as she listens to her partner scream. Drops to the
floor, hands over her head, her whole body shaking. *We’re
gonna die!* Footsteps echo in the hall, coming closer. *This
can’t be happening, not to me*. Tears burns her eyes, she
wipes them away. Shakes her head and tells herself.. you have
to see. You have to know. Calls her friend’s
name…”Zuly…What’s happening? Is there someone out there?
Are they here? Are we all going to die?"
The second example uses reaction, description of the scene,
dramatization, showing what you are actually thinking as
well as dialog and prompts the other character to react to
stimulus.

16. Getting started
1. Ask a question.
This may be asking where you may find a
room for the night or asking where the
nearest bar is.
2. Observe and react.
Find a group of people conversing between
themselves . it's a good idea to just emote
your way in and situate your character near
them. At this point you can try and figure out
what the current conversation is about and
react accordingly.
3. Take proactive action.
If you can initiate role play, people
automatically want to role play with you. And
initiating role play is easy if you set yourself
upon a quest. People will come and help.
4. Be patient and go with the flow.
Wait to read what others say . It takes a
while. People usually think and write their
reactions.

17. Let's look at the following example and discuss about it. What elements of role-play
can you identify? How can this be used in a language class?
Pionia Destiny looks out the window. The village street is black, and not even the sliver of moon cast
enough light to see into the shadows. She sighs and keeps looking into the dark.
Cyber Placebo gets a little nervous.. "Are they still out there?"
Pionia Destiny scans the darkness with attentive eyes and ears listening to a faint groan. "Doesn't look
like it, but I can hear something groaning.“
Cyber Placebo creeps up to the broken window and peers over Pionia's shoulder. "Maybe it's not a
minion." "Maybe someone is hurt and needs our help.“
Pionia Destiny gasps looking at Cyber like she'd lost her mind. "You want to go out there?"
Cyber Placebo folds her arms across her chest. "No," But I wouldn't want to leave someone out there
either.“
Randall Sandler sighs and rubs his eyes. "Maybe I can get a better view from the second floor.“
Cyber Placebo gasps and tries to grab his arm. "But that means going outside. This door is locked!“
Randal Sandler ignores Pionia's funny look and pats Cyber's hand. "Yeah, it does."
Activity 1: Looking at an example

18. Now, it’s your turn to role play a little scene.
1. Get in pairs.
2. Use private Instant message to role play your little scene with
your partner.
Try to use slow paced or fast paced emoting. Don’t forget to use
the /me and a verb in third person. Include description of your
feelings or actions in the scene, dialog, thinking and give your role
play partner a hint to follow in the role play.
3. Copy your chat script on a card and send it to Pionia Destiny.
Activity 2: Role playing a scene

19. Activity 3: Visiting a Role-play Sim
1. We are visiting a Role-play Sim in Second life. Avilion is a
fantasy role play sim where you can be either a human, an elf, a
dragon, a fairy, or an animal. Please, wear medieval fantasy
clothing. You can also talk and act as your character. This is the
landmark or the portal to cross worlds..
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Avilion%20Nexus/128/135/7
7
2. Get ready to meet experienced role-players and have fun
emoting and creating a story. You can take pictures and record the
experience. Save the script of he role play.
3. Reflect on how can roleplaying and emoting enhance your
students creative writing and critical thinking skills. Blog or post
about this experience. Share your thoughts in our community.