1. Drama for English Language Learners
Wendy K. Mages
Harvard Graduate School of Education

2. Drama & Language Theory Research
“Being ‘exposed’ to a flow of language is not nearly so important as using it in the midst of doing” (Bruner, 1990, p. 70)
Research
3 Meta-Analyses indicate drama does affect language development
(Conard, 1992; Kardash & Wright, 1987; Podlozny, 2000)
So why do educators and administrators remain unconvinced of the relevance of drama in early childhood education?
Don’t Read It (hard to locate) or Can’t Interpret It
Interdisciplinary nature of DRAMA research
Difficult to synthesize the findings
Scholars note that much drama research is marred by methodological flaws
Flaws limit the interpretability of research
This may prevent educators and administrators from using this research as the basis for curricular programming.

3. Why is Drama Beneficial for Language Acquisition?
Provides a context for language use
Drama simultaneously engages the mind, the body, and the emotions

5. First Stanza of the Poem
There were a few dozen who occupied the field
across the road from where we lived,
stepping all day from tuft to tuft,
their big heads down in the soft grass,
though I would sometimes pass a window
and look out to see the field suddenly empty
as if they had taken wing, flown off to another country.

6. A “Taste” of Drama Sample a number of drama strategies
Experience what it is like to be a student in a drama class

7. Drama Teaching Techniques
Freeze
Ensures safety of participants
Side Coaching
Listen to the words I use
I will try to coach you with my voice
No Right or Wrong
Creates safe environment for exploration
Encourages participation

8. Strategy: Walk About Techniques Rationale Fast & Slow Heavy & Light
Large & Small
High & Low
Rationale
Engage participants
Dramatizing vocabulary
Aids comprehension
Aids retention
I used vocabulary from the poem

9. Strategy: Character Walk
Techniques
Lead with your head
Lead with your Toes
Lead with one shoulder
Etc.
Rationale
Encourages whole body engagement
Teaches vocabulary for body parts

10. Strategy: Greetings Techniques Rationale Hello Goodbye Introductions
Use just your eyes
Use your head and face
Use your head, face, and voice
Goodbye
Touch feet
Touch elbows
Introductions
Formal
Informal
Rationale
Begin collaborative work
Teaches basic greetings in context
Teaches informal and formal introductions

11. Strategy: Statues Technique Rationale Number off by twos
Use your whole body to show me
Happy
Sad
War (view museum)
Peace (view museum)
Rationale
Engage body in vocabulary development

12. Strategy: Group Sculpture Tableaux
Technique
As a group build a sculpture of a word
Sculptures:
Waiting for Rain
Shocking
Mysterious
Pain
Rationale
Encourage collaboration
Vocabulary development

13. Strategy: Word Symphony
Technique
Distribute words from text
Allow students to experience the sound of the words
Conduct the word symphony
Rationale
Encourage students to explore the sound of words
Introduces vocabulary from the text

14. Strategy: Choral Reading
Technique
Show first stanza of poem
Distribute lines of the poem
Discuss line meaning in small groups
Students collaborate to perform poem
Rationale
Introduces text interpretation
Introduces text performance
Promotes comprehension

15. Questions?

16. Thanks!