Strategic Interaction: Learning Languages through Scenarios

Cambridge Language Teaching Library

by Robert J. Di Pietro

Strategic Interaction is an approach to language instruction that calls upon learners to use the target language purposefully and skillfully in communicating with others. The focal activity in the strategic interaction classroom is the scenario, which replicates real-life situations and requires language in order to reach a resolution. Students are assigned roles that oblige them to work out and implement personal game plans through dialogs with other role players. Students are always themselves, and personal agendas will inevitably differ, creating the dramatic tension that makes strategic interaction realistic and involving. Di Pietro explains the rationale behind strategic interaction and describes in detail how to use the approach in the classroom, from elementary to advanced levels. An excellent resource book for any language teacher.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 1987

Reviews

[Alexandra Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, even though I only read it for my AP Research project (but I am trying to broaden my horizons to nonfiction..). Pietro's claims are creative and well-developed; plus, his comedic tone was a nice break from my other sources. Even though this book was published in 1987, and the ideas addressed are even older, not a lot of foreign language classes use them. I'm done with high school Spanish, but I would've loved to walk into class one day and try to have a conversation about one of the scenarios written here rather than study the same verb tenses and vocab lists.

Every foreign language teacher should read this book. Language is one of the most helpful skills you can learn from school, and it sucks that most classes don't try to teach it in a way you'll actually use.

[Erin Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. This is a book outlining how interact students through real life situations. I am still working on integrating his theories on scenarios into the classroom through projects, instead of skits.

[Moch Firdaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting