Chat
Note: This chat assignment consists of two parts, so come prepared for both. And, if possible, try to meet with someone with whom you have not worked previously.
Part I: Fool the Classmate
Meet with a classmate and share your planned personal introducion (see original assignment) with important variations.
- In addition to talking about what you like, also talk about what you don't like. To do so, use the format:
لا أحب ______. - Include one piece of false factual information, such as your name, origin, occupation(s), or place(s) of occupation. For example, if you are a student from Davis, fib and say that you study at UCSB. Do not, however, fib about your likes, dislikes, residence, or subject of study.
At the end of your personal introduction, let your partner probe you to find out which piece of information in your introduction is false. Give him/her three guesses. Use the following phrases to let your partner know if his/her guess is on track.
هذا صَحيح. This is true.
هذا كاذِب. This is false.
Probe each other using yes/no questions. The guessing portion of the chat activity might go like this:
| هل أنت من مدينة دنفر؟ | :A |
| (nods head while blinking both eyes to signal "yes") هذا صحيح. أنا من دنفر. | :B |
| هل أنت طالب في جامعة ولاية نيو يورك؟ | :A |
| هذا كاذب. أنا طالب في جامعة مدلبوري. (faintly flicks head up while making a clicking noise with the tongue to signal "no") | :B |
P.S. As your partner speaks, jot some notes down on paper to help you remember the details of his/her introduction. Furthermore, since your partner is likely to use vocabulary you don't know when sharing his/her likes and dislikes, as well as field(s) of study, don't be shy about asking what any unfamiliar vocabulary means.
Part II: Charades
Play charades with your partner using the vocabulary from page 129 in Alif Baa. The first partner asks, "How are you?" and the second acts out a response. The first partner then guesses what the dramatized condition is. The charade portion of the activity might go like this:
| كيف حالك؟ | :A |
| (acts out a condition from the list on page 129 in Alif Baa) | :B |
| هل أنت عطشان؟ | :A |
| (partner faintly flicks head up while making a clicking noise with the tongue to signal "no") | :B |
| هل أنت مريض؟ | :A |
| نعم. أنا مريض. | :B |
| سلامتك. | :A |
| الله يسلّمك. | :B |
Take turns role playing the vocabulary from page 129 until all the vocabulary has been used at least once. When the situation calls for it, be sure to show off your cultural knowledge with an appropriate expression, such as سلامتك or معلهش (see page 130 in Alif Baa).