drama

Loubna OussaidKarima MezouariCpr Marrakech 2010/2011

Plan Introduction Definition The value of drama The characteristics of drama The principles of drama The differences between drama§ The use of drama in TESL Activities Advantages and disadvantages Conclusion

Introduction "Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand."

Chinese Proverb

Definition

•‘Drama’ is a Greek word means ‘act’ or ‘deed’ used by Aristotle to describe poetic compositions that were ‘acted’ in front of audiences in a theatron. •He claimed that it included two types tragedy and comedy

Susan Holden (1981) defines Drama as any activity which asks participants to portray himself or another person in an imaginary situation. Drama is then concerned with the word ‘let’s pretend’. It provides an opportunity for a person to express himself through verbal expressions and gestures using his imagination and memory

The value of drama

What can drama offer to students?

Involves the four skills of lge and provides a solid context for lge learning

Develops students' creativity , imagination and problem solving

Does not focus on a final product but on an achieved process

Improves students’ attitude areas: trust, self-acceptance

Allows the teacher to ask questions, shape the lesson and check student understanding

Encourages learners to work together, cooperate, listen, accept and tolerate the others

Develops students aesthetic and critical awareness

Helps students to develop life time interest in plays and theatre and enhances the quality of their social and cultural experience

Provides students with an outlet for emotions, thoughts and dreams that they might not have means to express

focuses on communication Enables students to put themselves into others’

shoes Requires self control and discipline that will

serve students to well in all aspects of life Enhances students fluency and vocabulary

proficiency and linguistic abilities . Develops students’ linguistic abilities Makes learning and teaching process enjoyable by providing stress free environment . Way of implementing different methodologies

Characteristics Purposeful Interactive "Education is not a commodity. Education

is a social relationship." - Margolis Based on authentic materials Process is the main aim

"At its best, drama can make breaks with the dominant expectations of school and society, and become...a movement toward a consciousness of what might be. In so doing, drama can aid in bringing about needed social changes that...could result in a freer human development.“

David Booth

PrinciplesMorrow (1981) has provided some guiding

principles for using drama Know what you are doing The whole is more fruitful than the sum of its

components The processes are as important as the forms To learn it do it Mistakes are not always mistakes

The differences between

theatre and drama

THEATRE DRAMA

Stage Classroom, Playing Area, Space

Scenery Environment, Setting

Actors Students, Participants, Players, Teacher-in-Role

Directors Teacher, Leader, Facilitator, Artist-Teacher

Play script Scenario, Story, Material, Idea

rehearse Practice, Work On, Experiment With, Explore

Perform Share, Show, Play Out, Dramatize, Improvise

Audience Observers, Peers

critique Assess, Discuss, Reflect

product PROCESS

So Theatre pertains more to performance work. The word should bring to mind images of plays and actors. Drama refers to shared elements used to explore our emotions, our thinking, and to teach.

The use of Drama in teaching English as a foreign language

Drama can be used in TEFL and for a variety of purposes:

Language is used in meaningful situations,

(Tarlington1982).

Drama activities can be used as means of

reinforcement of lge learnt(Mordecai1985).

Drama improves oral communication.

Drama can be used TEFL and for a variety of purposes:

Leaning a second lge is made enjoyable, stimulating and meaninful through Drama.

The problem of mixed abilitiy is reduced when drama is used.

Earl Stevick(1980),states that lge learning must appeal to the creative intuitive aspect of personality as well as the consciousa and rational part.

Some drama activities

1-Role Play: Role-taking is so flexible,it suits all

personalities and teaching circumstancies. It involves being an imaginary person in a

hypothetical situation and sometimes in a real one.

It involves a finite interactions between characters within a range of possibilities.

Gives students the opportunity to practice the actual rules they will need in real life.

According to Richard a role-play involves a situation in which a sitting, participants and goal problem are described.

Role –play activities range from simple to complex, and from unstructured to structured.

Some examples of role-play are:sketches, story dramatization, business interviews and even debates.

1-Role Play:

2-stimulation:

It can be defined as a structured set of circumstances that mirrors real life.

Reality of function is the key concept in simulation.

Behavior is not controlled and participants bring to the situation their own skills, experience and knowledge.

2-stimulation:

It is a problem-solving activity to which the student brings his own personality and opinion.

Involves being oneself and someone else in a simulated real-life situation.

Authencity and credibility are important elements in stimulation.

Advantages of drama activities

Stimulates authentic conversations. It develops conversational competence

among learners of second lge. It is a fluency activity where opportunities

arise for learners to use lge freely and creatively.

Suitable for consolidating and practicing conversational proficiency.

Creates sensitivity and sense of awareness.

Increases motivation.

A break from routine.

Prepare students for real life and

unpredictability.

Disadvantages of drama activities

Activity is artificial.

Activities are difficult to monitor.

Causes embrassement.

Encourages incorrect forms.

Teachers’ fear of losing control.

Spontaneity is lost.

Timing lessons is difficult.

Activities may not be suitable to all levels.

Conclusion "The future of our nation depends on

our ability to create-and to be creative. During the coming decades our most important national resources will be human resources. If our nation is to continue to meet the challenges of the future, today's schools need to develop creative leaders."