1. Learning English through Drama Professional Development Workshop Workshop leader: Stephen Bolton English Language Centre City University of Hong Kong

2. What is drama? The definition is as broad or as narrow as a teacher wants to make it. For (language) classroom purposes, drama can include: The definition is as broad or as narrow as a teacher wants to make it. For (language) classroom purposes, drama can include: scripted dialogues scripted dialogues reading reading listening listening reciting reciting writing writing performing performing

3. role plays role plays semi-scripted semi-scripted unscripted unscripted improvisation improvisation drama games drama games “Reader’s Theatre” “Reader’s Theatre” “The Drama Project” (see Wessels, 1987) “The Drama Project” (see Wessels, 1987)

4. Drama and language skills Speaking: Speaking: A huge range of opportunities to speak A huge range of opportunities to speak A “need to speak” (Wessels, p. 28) A “need to speak” (Wessels, p. 28) Listening: Listening: To fellow participants To fellow participants To recorded samples of drama To recorded samples of drama

5. Drama and language skills (contd) Reading: Reading: Scripts (both text and stage directions) Scripts (both text and stage directions) Learning about plot, characterization, dramatic structure, how to prepare for a production… Learning about plot, characterization, dramatic structure, how to prepare for a production… Writing: Writing: Complete scripts Complete scripts Character descriptions Character descriptions Plot outlines Plot outlines “Rehearsal protocols” “Rehearsal protocols”

6. Drama and language areas Phonology Phonology Intonation to express emotion Intonation to express emotion Clarity of diction Clarity of diction Stress within sentences Stress within sentences Vocal power Vocal power Pace Pace Pitch range Pitch range

7. Drama and language areas (contd) Vocabulary Vocabulary Wide-ranging possibilities (as wide as the range of areas of life that can be dramatized) Wide-ranging possibilities (as wide as the range of areas of life that can be dramatized) The language of human emotion, intentions, interactions The language of human emotion, intentions, interactions Descriptive language (e.g., in stage directions) Descriptive language (e.g., in stage directions) Meta-language of rehearsal, performance, criticism (See Maley & Duff, 2005) Meta-language of rehearsal, performance, criticism (See Maley & Duff, 2005)

8. Drama and language areas (contd) Grammar Grammar “The grammar of spoken English” (E.g., Carter & McCarthy) “The grammar of spoken English” (E.g., Carter & McCarthy) Ellipsis Ellipsis Contractions Contractions Fragments Fragments

9. Some Advantages of Using Drama in the Language Classroom It provides opportunities for practising a wide variety of language It provides opportunities for practising a wide variety of language It draws on more than just the rational side of the brain It draws on more than just the rational side of the brain It can be useful in overcoming shyness, since students are speaking “in character” It can be useful in overcoming shyness, since students are speaking “in character” It promotes cooperation and collaboration It promotes cooperation and collaboration Students usually enjoy it Students usually enjoy it