The Hindu : Kerala News : Learning to teach English through plays

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Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
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Learning to teach English through plays

A workshop for English teachers has explored ways to use theatrical techniques while teaching the language.

Power of action: Participants of a teachers’ workshop try out new methods of teaching.

Earlier, students used to mug up poems included in the school syllabus. Not any more. “Now a student can visualise it, choreograph it or even act it out in the class,” says Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) Urban Resource Centre trainer Sabitha Sekhar, who has been coordinating a three-day residential workshop ‘Cinderella’ for selected English teachers from across the district at the Youth Hostel at East Hill here.

The workshop was an attempt to explore various ways of using theatrical techniques in teaching English language, say the organisers.

According to Ms. Sabitha, the idea of teaching language has undergone a sea change of late, especially with novel ways being incorporated to the school curriculum. “The use of theatre is one such,” she says.

“Theatre has everything to help even a ‘slow learner’ to acquire language skills through real-life situations,” she adds.

Language skills

‘Cinderella’ is an SSA project to help schoolchildren to acquire English language skills in creative and entertaining ways. The workshop focused on the role of theatre in the teaching and learning of English language and literature.

“It was a novel, refreshing experience. It gave rare insights into the possibilities of using theatrics in teaching English,” says A. Prasanna Kumari, a participant.

Back to school

More than 25 teachers representing 13 Block Resource Centres (BRC) in Kozhikode district participated in the workshop.

It comprised exercises meant for developing and telling stories, role plays, pantomimes, games, enacting learning concepts and the like.

“We felt as if we are back to our school days once again,” said A. Pradeep Kumar, another participant. “The camp made me realise that only someone who keeps the innocence and unalloyed inquisitiveness of a student can be a good teacher,” he said.

No ‘teaching’

According to experts, education becomes an art where nobody is ‘taught’ anything. Instead, teacher dons the role of a facilitator who helps students evolve creatively.

They observe that children’s reality is related to their imagination and fantasies. It is completely pleasure-oriented or pleasure principle conscious.

A platform

A composite art form such as theatre provides the student a platform to realise his/her physical and mental faculties and limitations. The group activity ensures that s/he expresses well within a social purview.

And this seemingly simple platform is just a beginning of a whole new process of learning, say theatre experts.

Jabir Mushthari

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