Using Drama Techniques

and Activities In The

Classroom
Why teacher use drama activities in the
classroom?
1. To give learners an experience of using the
language
2. To make language learning an active
motivating experience.
3. To help learners gain the confidence and
self esteem needed to use the language
spontaneously
4. To bring the real world into the classroom.
5. To emulate the ways students naturally
acquire language through play, make believe
and meaningful interaction.
.
6. To make what is learnt memorable
through direct experience and affect
(emotion)
7. When students dramatize they use all
the channels.
8. To stimulate learners intellect and
imagination.
9. To develop students ability to
empathize with others.
10. Help learners acquire language by
focusing on the message they are
conveying.
Drama Techniques
Drama Games- starter activities/to warm up brains and
bodies.
Narrative exploring the stages of a story, process or event
Character- exploring characters
Stylisation freeze frames, slow motion, mime and sound
effect
Analogies- to put it another way
Dilemmas and options demonstrating choice and opinion
Teacher in role and using props- teacher assume the role
of a fictional or real life character using real or imagined
objects to re-enact events.

Drama Activities
1. Mime
A non verbal presentation of an idea or story
through gestures , body movement and expressions.
Example: working in pairs or small group, students are
given topic to work on which are to form the basis of three
minutes mime.( an accident at the bus stop). 5 minutes are
allowed for preparing and rehearsing. Students perform
their mime intern and after each performance the teacher
ask the class to interpret what it has been.
2. Role Play
A method for exploring issues involved in complex
social situation.
Types of Role Play
1. Dramatic play
2. Story dramatization and socio drama
3. Seminar style presentation
4. Debates
5. interview
3. Stimulation
A stimulation activity is one where the
learners discuss a problem within a defined setting
in stimulation activities. The students are either playing
themselves or someone else.
Example : buying a ticket at a bus stop
4. Improvisation
As an unscripted , unrehearsal, spontaneous
set of action in response of minima directions from a
teacher, useful including of whom one is, where one is
and what one is doing there. Could involved the whole
class or in a small group.
Example: a situation at the market where some are the
buyers and some are the sellers.
5. Masks
Using masks to feel the character. Pupils
potray themselves as the character without having to
become the character.
Example : wearing animals mask

Role of the Teacher
Teacher becomes a facilitator rather than an authority
or the source of knowledge. The class become more a
learners - centred rather than a teacher centred.

Preparing and planning activities:
Gives clear instructions
Provide ample time for pupils to practice
Thank you