Teacher Skills Forum 2020

Scripted plays have been used to teach second languages since the Middle Ages. In this interactive talk, I'll reflect on my experiences as both a language learner and teacher, and propose a strong rationale for the practice and performance of scripted dialogues and sketches as a core component within a modern lexical (Lewis 1993) or 'play' based (Cook 2000) syllabus.

By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:
- See the advantages of working with short plays with learners of English at a range of levels
- Use a play with their learners of English
- Help learners to create their own plays in English

Scripted plays have been used to teach second languages since the Middle Ages. In this interactive talk, I'll reflect on my experiences as both a language learner and teacher, and propose a strong rationale for the practice and performance of scripted dialogues and sketches as a core component within a modern lexical (Lewis 1993) or 'play' based (Cook 2000) syllabus.

By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:
- See the advantages of working with short plays with learners of English at a range of levels
- Use a play with their learners of English
- Help learners to create their own plays in English

Drama games are designed to teach skills in a fun and accessible manner. Through the practice of fun games, students can learn important skills like grit, reflection, communication, collaboration, focus, mindfulness, organisation and compromise, among many others. These games can be scaled up or down in difficulty to suit various age groups.