Role Play (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Role play 1: Alojamiento (Accommodation)
Scenario overview
This role play simulates a phone call to a Spanish university's accommodation office. You are playing the role of an Irish student preparing for an Erasmus exchange at the University of Extremadura in Cáceres. You need advice about finding suitable accommodation for your academic year abroad.
The conversation begins when the examiner (playing the university staff member) answers your phone call with a typical Spanish phone greeting.
This role play is designed to test your ability to handle a practical, real-life situation that many students face when studying abroad. Focus on demonstrating both your language skills and cultural awareness of Spanish communication styles.
Key vocabulary
Essential accommodation vocabulary:
- el alojamiento - accommodation
- la universidad - university
- el centro (de la ciudad) - city centre
- los barrios - neighbourhoods/areas
- cerca de - near to
- lejos de - far from
- las afueras - outskirts
- vivir - to live
- el año académico - academic year
Useful connecting phrases:
- porque - because
- pues - well/so
- realmente - really
- así que - so that
These connecting phrases will help you create more natural, flowing conversations. Spanish speakers use "pues" frequently as a filler word, similar to "well" or "so" in English, making your speech sound more native-like.
Model sentences
Understanding the key phrases for different parts of the conversation will help you navigate the role play confidently. Each phrase serves a specific communicative function that you'll need to demonstrate.
Opening the conversation:
- Estaré de Erasmus en la universidad el año que viene - I will be on Erasmus at the university next year
- No conozco a nadie en Cáceres - I don't know anyone in Cáceres
- ¿Podría aconsejarme sobre el alojamiento? - Could you advise me about accommodation?
Expressing preferences:
- Preferiría vivir cerca de la universidad - I would prefer to live near the university
- El año pasado vivía en las afueras de Dublín - Last year I lived in the outskirts of Dublin
- Realmente no me gustaba mucho - I really didn't like it
Giving reasons:
- Pasaba demasiado tiempo desplazándome - I spent too much time travelling around
- Estaba muy lejos de todo - It was very far from everything
- Si pudiera pasar ese tiempo estudiando podría sacar buenas notas - If I could spend that time studying I could get good grades
Showing flexibility:
- Consideraré todos los barrios - I will consider all neighbourhoods
- El clima es mucho mejor que en Irlanda - The climate is much better than in Ireland
- Eso no está muy lejos - That's not very far
Dialogue structure
Understanding the flow of the conversation will help you prepare appropriate responses for each phase. The examiner will guide the conversation through these predictable stages.
Phase 1: Initial contact The examiner opens with "Hola, ¡dígame!" (Hello, tell me!/How can I help?). You should immediately explain your situation as an incoming Erasmus student seeking accommodation advice.
Phase 2: Location discussion
The examiner will ask "¿En qué parte de la ciudad querrías vivir?" (What part of the city would you like to live in?). Share your preference for living near the university and explain why based on previous experience.
Phase 3: Follow-up questions Be prepared for "¿Por qué?" (Why?) and other follow-up questions. The examiner might provide information about Cáceres being a small city where you can walk from the outskirts to the main square in half an hour.
Phase 4: Your question Remember to ask one relevant question about accommodation, transport, or the city to show engagement in the conversation.
Grammar focus
The grammar structures you use in this role play should demonstrate your command of different tenses and your ability to express preferences, past experiences, and future plans appropriately.
Conditional tense usage:
- Preferiría (I would prefer) - shows politeness when expressing preferences
- Podría (I/you could) - used for polite requests and possibilities
This tense is essential for sounding polite and formal in Spanish, especially when making requests or expressing preferences to university staff.
Past tense narratives:
- Vivía (I lived) - imperfect tense for describing past situations
- Pasaba (I spent) - imperfect for ongoing past actions
Use these to explain your previous accommodation experience. The imperfect tense is crucial for describing habitual past actions and ongoing situations.
Future planning:
- Estaré (I will be) - future tense for definite plans
- Consideraré (I will consider) - showing openness to suggestions
These future tense forms demonstrate your ability to discuss concrete plans and show flexibility in your approach.
Pronunciation tips
Mastering the pronunciation of key words will significantly improve your performance and confidence during the role play. Focus especially on sounds that don't exist in English.
Pay special attention to these challenging words:
- Conozco - [ko-NOTH-ko] - The 'z' sounds like 'th' in most Spanish dialects
- Aconsejarme - [a-kon-se-KHAR-me] - The 'j' is pronounced like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'
- Cerca - [THER-ka] - Again, the 'c' before 'e' sounds like 'th'
- Desplazándome - [des-pla-THAN-do-me] - Practice the 'z' sound and stress on the third syllable
- Lejos - [LE-khos] - The 'j' here also sounds like 'ch' in 'loch'
Model answers
These examples show how to structure your responses effectively, demonstrating both shorter and more detailed approaches depending on the time available and your confidence level.
Short Response Example: "Estaré de Erasmus el año que viene. No conozco a nadie aquí. ¿Podría ayudarme con el alojamiento? Preferiría vivir cerca de la universidad porque es más práctico."
This response covers all essential information concisely while maintaining appropriate formality.
Extended Response Example: "Estaré de Erasmus en la universidad el año académico que viene. No conozco a nadie en Cáceres y necesito encontrar alojamiento. ¿Podría aconsejarme sobre las mejores zonas? Preferiría vivir cerca de la universidad porque el año pasado vivía en las afueras de Dublín y pasaba demasiado tiempo desplazándome. Si pudiera pasar ese tiempo estudiando, podría sacar mejores notas."
The bolded word aconsejarme (to advise me) is particularly valuable as it shows you can use reflexive pronouns correctly and demonstrates formal, polite register.
Key Points to Remember:
- Start confidently by explaining your Erasmus situation and need for accommodation advice
- Use past experience (living in Dublin's outskirts) to justify your preference for city-centre living
- Show flexibility by acknowledging you'll consider all areas, even if you have a preference
- Practice the tricky pronunciation of key words like 'conozco', 'aconsejarme', and 'desplazándome'
- Prepare at least one relevant question to ask the examiner to show engagement in the conversation