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What can Drama do for you? by Ken Wilson
Dear colleagues, Almost three years ago, some of us met at the TESOL Greece Big SIG
Day in 2005 and established the Drama and Literature SIG, on the suggestion of
two exceptional TESOL Greece members, Suzanne Antonaros and Malcolm Mann. Literature is widely acknowledged to be the
most suitable means to experience a language. So, one event at a time, we
started presenting ways to get our learners involved in learning English,
through literature, drama, readers’ theatre, dramatised songs and other forms
of the kind. The accessibility of theatrical techniques in
education generally offers to children priceless advantages regarding
their development as a whole. As these methods are not at all foreign to the
children’s nature, teachers should enable them to use and exploit those
methods as much as possible. Drama and literature is an educating tool. It’s
a way of enabling children to practice and extend their language in a
meaningful context. The learners are given the possibility to express their
feelings and views. They can develop their socialization and their imagination
creatively. Also, they come in contact with art in general trough the
theatrical play and dramatization deriving a great deal of satisfaction and
enjoyment from it. Moreover, they have the opportunity to apply what they have
learned through sketches and improvisations. We can help them to
familiarize themselves with the actual usage of words and expressions, using
the correct register and tone of voice. For all the above mentioned benefits derived
from the usage of drama and literature, we, as teachers, need to interact with
other teachers who are using Dr/Lit techniques in their teaching and exchange
ideas. We need to learn about ways to inspire them to read and to include drama
in our syllabus. Last but not least, every time our small
group meets, we feel a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction. We
enjoy what we are doing and we become children again in our own way. We
also share our difficulties and hopes and gain strength and faith in what we
are doing, no matter how difficult it is, because it is worth it. Therefore, Dr/ Lit SIG needs all of you, either
to offer or to receive ideas and ways. On behalf of the members of
our SIG you are welcome to join us to explore the fascinating world of
literature together. We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the Big SIG Day, on the
4th November, at
Yours, Georgia Voutsina, Dr/Lit SIG Coordinator |