Diana Schcolnicov

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

·         To learn drama techniques through exercises based on role-play, improvisations and simulations.

·         To raise awareness of the importance of using drama in the English language class.

·         To stimulate creativity and imagination.

·         To familiarise the future teachers with children’s plays, songs, riddles, etc.

·         To encourage them to make decisions as a group, listen to each other and value each other’s suggestion.

CONTENTS

Rhythm, breathing, feeling the muscles, feeling the space.

Body language.

Facial expression and mimic.

Characterisations.

The voice (pronunciation and intonation), tone, voice texture, sounds and noises. Pauses.

The use of props (puppets, masks, etc.)

      From text to dramatisation (of plays, stories, poems, songs, etc.)

      Simple drama writing

ACTIVITIES

Each session will consist in doing exercises (role-play, improvisations and simulations) in pairs or groups following instructions.

Some sessions will also involve doing craft  activity, such as making puppets and other props.

At the end of each session there will be a discussion. The students will be encouraged to describe what they did, interpret what they saw or explain why they chose to do something in a particular way. This can then lead to discussion of different ways of doing the exercise.

The students will also reflect on how the dramatic exercises can be integrated into a lesson.

Feedback will be given on the process of their work.

Images

AIMS

·         To build a sense of belonging and group acceptance.

·         To work on physical co-ordination, to learn to tense and relax their bodies, breathe and “feel” the space.

·         To rely on one another’s proposal and increase awareness of others.

·         To use non-verbal or para-linguistic features of communication.

·         To enhance observation.

·         To increase language awareness and analyse different registers and tones.

·         To practice how to use the voice.

·         To reflect on their profession and work.

EVALUATION

The students will integrate what they have practised in the following way:

In groups, they will write and dramatise a play or sketches suitable for an English class in  a primary classroom. Through simulation, some of the students will pretend to be the pupils and one will pretend to be the teacher and guide the session.

Bibliography