Shelley Ann Vernon
I believe learning should be fun. My extensive experience showed me that using games in class motivates children so much more, so I created a website dedicated to helping teachers be better at what they do, feel inspired to be teachers, motivate and encourage their students and by doing so, make the world a better place for everyone. Although I have two university degrees and a TEFL qualification you don't even need these things to be a great teacher. All you need is the right attitude and the right tools.
FUN PLAYS FOR CHILDREN LEARNING ENGLISH
- First of all, it's authentic. Using drama enables children to use English appropriately in real conversations. English is taught in the context in which it will be used, which makes students aware of the language first and foremost as a means of communication and which is far removed from lists of vocabulary, work-sheets and textbooks.
- The conversational use of language in an ESL play script promotes fluency. While learning a play, children listen to and repeat their lines over a period of time. By repeating the words and phrases they become familiar with them and are able to say them with increasing fluency.
- ESL Drama also teaches children to enunciate their words properly and to project their voices when they speak, helping them to become clear and confident speakers.
- Using drama to teach English also helps to improve the understanding and retention of language. By the time a child has read, rehearsed and acted out a scene focusing on the phrase "I've forgotten my..." there is little likelihood of ever forgetting how to use it in context. The same would not hold true if the verb "to forget" had been memorised by rote for a vocabulary test.
- The active participation required in an ESL drama lesson involves not only the intellect but also children's imagination and emotions. By encouraging self-expression, drama motivates children to use language confidently and creatively.
- Drama allows children to tap into different learning styles - visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile. Hearing the lines, seeing the actions, feeling the props, acting out movements and using expression all make the lesson a far richer one.
- ESL plays are ideal for mixed ability groups. Children whose language skills are still very limited can be given fewer lines and in addition are given the opportunity to communicate using nonverbal cues such as body movements and facial expressions.
