Hello and welcome to 'Cafe Splendida'

I thought I was being pretty clever when I brought in plates, a table cloth, glasses, napkins and a candle for my 9th form's "restaurant dialogues" presentations, but these kids took it above and beyond. Their task was simply to "make a dialogue in which the customer orders 5 things." And I've never been so impressed or had as much fun than at this lesson! Here are some highlights:

*During their dialogue, one girl waited til the "waitress" was out of sight, reached into her pocket and shook out some small stones onto her plate. Then, "Waitress! There's glass in my food!" The waitress promptly comped the bill, of course. Who said customer service is dead here?

*A pair of boys staged it so that one boy was a tourist. He walked around the room taking photos of the walls on his camera phone, and then tried to pay for his bill in his home currency. He was pulling change from EVERY pocket! It was hilarious.

*A group of girls started their dialogue with excellent planning techniques...they staged calling the restaurant ahead of time and making a reservation on their cell phones.

*A boy asked for the smoking section, and then proceeded to use a white-out pen as a "cigarette." It was too funny for me to launch into the "now let's think about your health here" routine...

*One "waiter" stood by with his hand out while the "customer" was walking away, and got another tip!

*The PROPS! Almost every group brought in a towel that the "waiter" would drape over his arm while he served. Almost every group made a "menu" and a "bill," and some groups brought in wine glasses, plastic food, dishes, flowers in an actual vase, and juice and cookies.

I love that the assignment was so simple and could have been made simply, but that these kids took it to their own level. Their imaginations and willingness to try amaze me. And it amuses, too! They had fun, I had a belly laugh, and it was a good day. :)