Language learning lows à la Phoebe and Joey.

Language learning lows à la Phoebe and Joey.

Here’s how Tie-Dye Drama makes their language learning fun, accessible and memorable (soz, Phoebe).

Tie-Dye Drama spent its second summer travelling to International Summer Schools at Sherborne School and Kings Young Learners. We used a mixture of games, drama sketches, music and drawing to engage the students.

Feedback included:
“Interesting games, would like to have it more often.”
"It was really good".
“As always, your sessions are so good. I was having a very bad day and your games cheered me up. Thank you for everything.”

But why is drama such a useful tool? Here are our thoughts:

1. Real-world Context and Authenticity
Drama provides a realistic context. When learners act out scenarios, they're not just memorising phrases; they're experiencing how language functions in real-life situations. This authenticity helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application.
TDD provides students with visual prompts to act out British-based scenarios such as: making a complaint in a fish and chip shop and asking for directions in London.

2. Enhanced Motivation and Engagement
Drama injects fun and creativity into learning and can easily be adapted to the group dynamic.
Previously, TDD has picked up on some groups’ inclination to start with calmer activities; it’s a long week of learning for them, after all! We used art and musical activities to inspire them.

3. Improved Pronunciation and Intonation
Through character portrayal and dialogue delivery, learners naturally focus on pronunciation and intonation.
TDD plans games that introduce key vocabulary and phrases that will then be used within the later drama sketches.

4. Boosted Confidence
One of the biggest hurdles in language learning is the fear of making mistakes. Drama creates a safe space where errors are part of the performance, not failures. This environment fosters confidence, encouraging learners to take risks with the language.
We create inclusive and safe spaces. Using group work fosters a collaborative learning environment. This peer interaction provides diverse language input and opportunities for mutual learning.

5. Non-verbal Communication Skills
Drama helps learners understand and use gestures, facial expressions and body language.
TDD use games that involve facial and body language; universal signals that do not rely so heavily on language.

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At Tie-Dye Drama we are so pleased to have built relationships with Kings Young Learners and Sherborne. We are passionate about drama’s potential to build language confidence and skills. As Alan Maley states, "Language learning through drama is learning by doing. It's an active, experiential way to internalise vocabulary and structures."

Get in touch to learn how Tie-Dye Drama can bring the good kind of drama to your Summer School!