The tweaking will help prepare learners to deal with the
Unpredictability element they will encounter in real life – we
Have all had to deal with difficult people at some point!
I was marvelled recently when I saw Driss (Omar Sy),
in the job interview scene from Intouchables, in which
he inverted the power roles between him (a
Senegalese immigrant) and Phillipe, a quadriplegic
millionaire (François Cluzet). In stark contrast to the
other candidates’ enthusiasm, Sy expresses no
desire to get hired and simply requires a signature
confirmation of attendance – he ends up getting the
job.
Phillipe conducts many interviews for this role before
Driss’. Driss, on the other hand, has clearly been
through this process before – he is unemployed. For
both these characters, were they to do this in a
Business English classroom, their tasks would be
similar to those they carry out in real life, and not
roles for them to act as different people. It makes
sense, at least for me, to use simulations with
learners over role-plays, because it draws upon their
pre-existing knowledge and experience.
My learners – experienced business people who need
English to help them do their jobs