drama for english language learners

Drama forEnglish Language Learners

Wendy K. MagesHarvard Graduate School of Education

Drama & LanguageTheory “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)

Why is Drama Beneficial for Language Acquisition?

Provides a context for language use

Drama simultaneously engages the mind, the body, and the emotions

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.

A “Taste” of Drama

Sample a number of drama strategies

Experience what it is like to be a student in a drama class

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

Strategy: Walk About Techniques

– Fast & Slow– Heavy & Light– Large & Small– High & Low

Rationale– Engage participants– Dramatizing vocabulary

• Aids comprehension• Aids retention

– I used vocabulary from the poem

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

Strategy: Greetings Techniques

– Hello• 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

Strategy: Statues Technique

– 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

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

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

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

Questions?

Thanks!