Mata La Rata - The World Language Universe's Best Mafia Style Card Game

Mata La Rata is a 10 minute interactive card game which turns students in OOZING VOLCANOES of L2 goodness. This is an easy way to get EACH AND EVERY student engaged and authentically producing and interpreting spoken L2.

There are 2 gangs - Los Reyes del Asafalto y El Mondragón 14. There are a few Reyes that have infiltrated El Mondragón and El Jefe has given an order - Encuentra y Mata La Rata.

After the night phase in which some members of the gang perform actions (looking at other player's cards, switching cards, stealing identities, etc) the group all wakes up and must ask, prod, deduce, interpret, interrogate, sleuth, lie, deceive, collaborate, corroborate, and most of all COMMUNICATE to determine which members of the group are the Rats. Except the Mime - that guy can't say anything - only gesture!

With all of the different identities of the players and their actions, there are infinite games that can be played. The more the students play the more they understand the game and the more they feel comfortable SPEAKING during the game.

I am not the best teacher in the world. Far from it. But watch the video...EVERY SINGLE STUDENT is engaged in the game. Even THAT ONE STUDENT gets into this game.

This is a great addition to a unit in which Vida y Muerte is taught. Any unit having to do with MS-13 or gangs also would benefit from the addition of this as a way to increase interest throughout the unit and add some cool and useful vocabulary.