There are many useful tools for teaching ESL in the classroom, but drama seems to me the ideal one to work on language skills development together with cultural awareness.
The social side of learning a language should be never left aside. A language is a communication tool, so interaction is a must.
Through drama, children interact with other people and with their world around, learning in an active and meaningful way. Besides, we are providing them with useful information for them to improve their communicative competence (and not just their linguistic skills). They lead conversations and get involved.
If you are still reluctant to carry out drama activities in your classroom in order to turn your students' language learning process into a more effective and enjoyable experience, please take a look at Miranda Flynn Legge's blog so that you can start with drama games and puppet shows before role-playing.
Looking forward to hearing from your experience.
Hello!
ResponderEliminarI deeply think drama can be a wonderful tool in our ESL Primary lessons. Drama will allow our students to become more fluent and confident in the target language. It will also help us achieve our main role as English teachers: to promote interaction and communication. Moreover, students will have fun while learning in a real context. Summing up, I really like your proposal and I will take it into account for my future classes! Thank you!
Thank YOU, Carmen :)
EliminarHi,
ResponderEliminarI have been teaching English for many years and since I discovered Andrew Wright, a teacher and writer of ESL books, I use drama and storytelling in my extracurricular English classes. I recommend Storytelling for children and Creating stories both by Andrew Wright.
Last year I recorded a CD for the children´s parents to see the little plays we performed in class enhancing listening and speaking skills and above all their love for English language!
ELena Remón
Hi classmate,
ResponderEliminarI agree with you, this activity is very useful for develop the different skills in the pupils, moreover we pupils needs to learn for speaking in public and I think that this activity can help to get it since the school.
Gema.