Quick guide
- Key words:Drama, script, writing, oral, performance
- Learner English level:Beginners to advanced
- Learner maturity:Elementary to university
- Preparation time:30 minutes
- Activity time:60 to 90 minutes per class
- Materials:Tape recorder or video recorder
Introduction
Reader’s Theatre is a presentational performance based on principles and techniques of oral interpretation with the purpose to entertain, instruct, and persuade (Adams, 2003). Readers first read a story and then transform it into a script involving several characters. Unlike conventional drama which relies mainly on physical movements or actions, the script is performed for an audience using only the voice elements (articulation, rate, tone, pitch, voice projection, etc). Reader’s Theatre has been adopted in Western educational settings to improve the reading fluency and to enhance the reading comprehension of students (Henry, 2011). However, I have adopted Reader’s Theatre as a means to teach oral communication skills such as proper pronunciation, voice projection, appropriate tone, and voice flexibility.
Preparation
Step 1: Select a story scene appropriate to the class level of English and interest from any graded reader (see Appendix A). It is highly recommended that the teacher choose a story scene with at least two characters engaged in a conversational dialogue.
Step 2: Based on the story scene selected,prepare a scenario (see Appendix B) for the script writing.
Step 3: Prepare a tape or video recorder to record students’ performances.
Procedure
Step 1:Before class, assign students a story scene from the graded reader to familiarize students with the background of the story scene. In class, conduct a pre-reading activity such as explaining the pertinent vocabulary, and then have students read the story scene individually and discuss their impressions of the characters in groups of three or four. I normally ask students to comment on their favourite characters in the story scene by asking them several questions such as: Which is your favourite character? What will you do if you were in his or her situation? Do you think there are people who behave similarly to the characters in the real world?
Step 2:After students have gained sufficient background knowledge of the story scene, introduce script writing and briefly explain the role of a narrator and different characters in drama scripts. Next, assign students the task of writing the script guided by the scenario prepared by the teacher (Appendix B). Explain that each group will write an original script involving different characters and a narrator (see sample script written by students in Appendix C). Allow students time to negotiate the scripts and provide suggestions if students have difficulties in writing the script.
Step 3:When a group has finished writing, check the completed script and have members in the group rehearse it before you. Prior to rehearsing, instruct them to perform their parts using only voice elements and the hand-held scripts. Correct pronunciation or highlight important delivery skills (such as the proper use of tone, volume, or voice projection) when students are rehearsing their scripts. While you focus your attention on the first group, instruct other groups to continue working on their scripts. Usually students appreciate the teacher giving them time to rehearse on their own first, as they can then modify their scripts to bring about the desired effects. If you have a large class, you may want to create groups with more than five or six members to include more characters or narrators.
Step 4:When all students are ready to perform the teacher records their performances using a tape or video recorder.
Step 5:Play back the recording and encourage students to comment on their peers’ performances. You should also take the opportunity to stress the importance of good articulation, voice projection, and flexibility for effective communication in English.
Conclusion
Students generally have positive comments regarding Reader’s Theatre (see Appendix D). They often develop a sense of investment in the lesson because they are not only reading a script, but also performing the script through interpretation of the characters. It is also energising for teachers as they watch students read, interpret, and perform a piece of literature, knowing that students are holistically involved in the process of learning.
References
Adams, W. (2003). Institute Book of Readers Theatre: A Practical Guide for School, Theatre and Community. Chapel Hill, NC: Professional Press.
Henry, L. (2011). Readers Theatre. ReadWriteThink International Reading Association. Retrieved from <readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/readers-theatre-172.html>
Appendices
The appendices are available below
