1. Avoiding grammatical drama by using drama to teach grammar
Acting French
Avoiding grammatical drama by using drama to teach grammar

2. The Grammar Drama
focus on communicative skills in foreign language teaching may result in a disregard for teaching basic language structure
students often struggle to convert cognitively learnt structures into appropriate linguistic action
How can communicative skills and grammatical knowledge be equally integrated in foreign language teaching?
How can the gap between structural knowledge and communicative competence be bridged?

3. What is Drama Grammar?
synthesis of grammar instruction and drama pedagogy (Even)
combination of language use and language reflection
students learn language structure using cognitive, emotional, social, practical and kinesthetic learning dimensions
typical drama grammar lesson:
phase of awareness raising
context-finding phase
linguistic phase
phase of dramatic play
presentation phase
reflection phase

4. The Benefits of Drama Grammar in the Foreign Language Classroom
supports the progress from structured activities to free expression
examination of grammatical phenomena happens not at the beginning but in the middle of the lesson: focus on grammar is deliberate and purposeful
raises student awareness about appropriate linguistic structure
activities teach form but emphasis is on meaning
grammatical knowledge is contextualized
students are less afraid of making mistakes and more inclined to take risks (Even)

5. Things to consider when using Drama Grammar
minimize student inhibition by creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation
sequence dramatic activities so students develop confidence and build proficiency
be clear about learning outcome: teaching language structure can clash with free dramatic expression

6. Literature
Patricia S. Dickson: Acting French: Drama Techniques in the Second Language Classroom, in The French Review, Vol. 63, No. 2 (1989), p
Susanne Even: Dramagrammar in Theory and Practice, in GFL-Journal 1 (2004): p