Drama

Drama allows second language learners how to become internalized in a situation that seems real. Students will use their target language to communicate by experimenting with non-verbal aspects of language (such as body language, gestures, and facial expressions) and they will also use verbal language (such as rhythm, stress, intonation, etc) to express what they are acting out. This should allow students to gain the confidence that they need to use their second language outside of the classroom and interact with others. // (From: “Creating Drama with Poetry” by Marie Gasparro and Bernadette Falletta)  // Drama also: -builds cooperation and other social skills -increases concentration and comprehension -deals with real life problems -helps develop empathy The approach I mostly identify drama with is the Total Physical Response Approach and Language Acquisition. The two websites I have chosen contain activities that are appropriate in the ESL classroom. The first website: http://eslsite.com/rd/Drama-Role_Plays/quick_drama_ideas.html  gives a great activity of how to role play different characters. It can be brought down to a Kindergarten level or could be brought up to an adult level. I picked this website because it allows the student to get an opportunity to role play and practice their second language. I have not tried this activity yet but when we study community helpers, I am going to try to do this with my students. I will get the opportunity to hear their language and they will get to interact with others. The second website: http://www.prel.org/eslstrategies/drama.html   is geared to younger learners. I have not tried tableau in my classroom but I feel that I would like to try it soon with my students. I picked this activity because I like how it can incorporates all of my students. My students will, in my opinion, have a better understanding of what is going on in the story because they are also acting it out. I find these activity and website reliable because it is student based. I have also heard many great things about tableau through other teachers and the idea was also presented during one of my classes at Chicago State University.