Role-play and

Drama:

Getting our students to speak

in English Laura E. García F.

“Language spoken or written with conviction and with a

true purpose and audience is the type of language teaches

are always looking for” (Robbie et al. 2001)

Drama is essential in the development of the child, enhancing cognitive, affective and motor development.

But, why should we, as English teachers, use it for language development?

1. Drama requires group work, so students learn from their peers new structures, words or expressions, whist bring out those they were unaware they knew by being so involved in the process and trying to be understood (because we expect them to communicate in English).

2. Instead of having to memorize or repeat unnatural set phrases, drama facilitates spontaneous learning in a more

contextualized environment. This way, the students learn how to use language as a cognitive instrument.

3. After dramatising a story, children will often find a related reading or writing activity more stimulating and achievable because they have acted out situations and have a greater understanding of the text.

How can we use drama inthe English classroom?

1. When working on a story text, using role-play to explore situations,

characters and emotions with improvisation2. Making and using puppets, masks and props. This will also encourage the more

reluctant speakers to participate 3. Using pretend telephones to

develop dialogues 5. Asking them to choose their favourite

story read in class and turn it into a play

 

Free images taken from the following websites:

• http://www.photorack.net• http://www.freedigitalphotos.net• http://www.ltscotland.org.uk

Thank you!