Famous last words

1) Show the students one of the last lines from the list below on a mini whiteboard or by screen sharing the whiteboard on Zoom. Elicit who might say it and in what sort of situation. By eliciting ideas from the whole class, build up a short dialogue on the virtual whiteboard which ends with the line.

For example:

 A: (nervously)  You know that headset you lent me?

B:                     Yes.

A:                     Well, I'm really sorry but it doesn't seem to work anymore.

B:   (angrily)     You're joking! I've only had it a few weeks!

A:                     I'll get you a new one. Okay?

2) Ask everyone to write down a number between 1 and 16. Now display all the 'last lines' below as a virtual background or shared powerpoint slide. Each student now writes down the last line which corresponds to the number they wrote.    

 LAST LINES

1) That's what I've been trying to tell you.       9)Well, it was nice to see you anyway.

2) Look. I don't know. Okay.                            10) Alright. That sounds like a good idea.

3) Wow! That was lucky!                                11) Well, if you sure it's alright.

4) Don't worry about it.                                   12) Of course, you can!

5) I just wish you could have told me.            13) Well, I don't think it is.

6) I'll get you a new one. Ok?                         14) Well, whose is it then?

7) He always says that.                                   15) So am I. Let's go.

8) Is that it?                                                      16) Okay, well we can sort it out tomorrow.

 3) Now ask students to form pairs (or put them into paired breakout rooms). Their task now is to write a 5-7 line dialogue which uses one of their two last lines (they can choose which one they work with). Ask them to practice performing their dialogue in as natural and well acted way as they can. If possible, go round the groups and provide support with both the writing and the articulation of their lines.

 4) Bring everyone back together. Each pair performs their mini dialogue to the camera but without the last line. If the dialogue is well written and they've performed it clearly and meaningfully, those who are watching should be able to guess what the last line is. They should also be able to work out something about the context, and the relationship between the two characters. This can all be discussed after each mini performance.

 Note: This activity is more challenging than it may initially appear, and is not really suitable for lower-level learners. However, it's one of the best activities we know for encouraging coherent, cohesive dialogue writing and, if done in groups, the opportunities for peer teaching in these skills is very high.