This will make the activity more challenging and will force their partners to ask more questions. Equally important, such role playing will simulate some of the psychological pressure students will feel under authentic conditions. After the preparation phase has been completed, direct students to popular tourist spots or train stations frequented by foreigners and administer this survey as part of an after-class activity. Have them work in pairs and stop people as they walk by. Also, forewarn them that some people will not want to be interviewed.
Tape record the entire transaction to be used later in class.
Finally, encourage students to show their appreciation by giving participants a telephone card or other small gift. Foreigners who have had a pleasant experience talking your students will probably be more inclined to help other English students if the occasion presents itself again. In the post-work stage, students transcribe the interviews and compare their results with others in the same class. Students can also discuss which confirmation strategies were most effective and why, and then evaluate their own performance, taking note of when and how gaps in information were clarified. As noted before, teachers need to instruct students how to interact more effectively as they listen and speak in the target language.