Summary of the workshop on:

Summary of the workshop on:
Communicative language teaching using Drama by Dr. Scott Stevens

Naima Leghtas and Halima Elhanani

Drama is used to develop communicative competence in language classes.

I- why do we use drama ?

We use it for the following reasons:
1- motivation: it inspires students to learn a foreign language in a funny way.
2- self esteem : it makes shy students more confident in using a second language and in developing their characters and personalities.
3- creativity: students become more creative and show their talents.
4- cultural proximity : students learn about the target culture through slang, idioms, non verbal communication ....... etc.

II- How to use drama in a classroom:

1- Group development: drama develops group unity through trust.
2- voice or stage speech: students improve their oral intelligibility because the voice used in drama is one of power, volume and enthusiasm.
3- observation : drama reflects life . So students get more aware of the world around them and so more able to improvise.
4- Energy : it refers to the inner power in voice and movement which is necessary to keep the audience attention all along the show.
5- Movement : it means body language which is associated to culture and language.
6- concentration : students learn how to bring an intensity of effort to their own performance.
7- Spontaneity : students don’t need to memorize their scripts.
8- Creativity : students should be given the chance to write and act out their own ideas.
9- Mechanics: such as transitions between scenes, acts entrances, exits, pausing dialogue, sensitivity to pops, signals for beginning songs ...... etc.

III - Steps of using drama:

1- Physical warm up activities : games like great shake, eye got you, mirror movement.
2- voice warm up activities : such as voice mirror, projection scales, projection variation, partner fluency fighting......
3- Rehearsal performance : statue making, mime practice, moral fables .........
4- cool down activities : in this stage students are asked to perform . Tasks are better assigned one day before the class meets so students can have time to get well prepared.