Saitama JALT:

Drama: a Stepping Stone towards English Language Performance

Date: Sunday, May 10th, 2009 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Speaker: Adriana E. Edwards Wurzinger

Description:
In this presentation, Adriana will briefly analyze the importance of using drama techniques as part of the strategies for teaching English to university students. In addition to the analysis of the theory available about this subject, Adriana will present some of the findings of her personal research on educational drama with students of Saitama University, Japan. It is Adriana's intention to offer a clear outline of the benefits and characteristics of drama as a bridge between language acquisition and language performance, and to provide information that may serve to aid further studies in this area.

The big question behind this presentation is: why should we consider drama as a tool for language learning at university level? Adriana's answer to this question is ambiguous and probably not what you expect: why NOT? Drama exercises and techniques can contribute in many ways to build an active and enthusiastic learning experience. The list of benefits is long, but Adriana would like to focus on ten essential points that, in her opinion, provide the foundation upon which we can build a better understanding of the reasons why drama techniques should be considered effective tools for language learning.

The analysis of these points is the result of a combination of her previous experience with different groups, the research that has provided Adriana with a body of theories about this subject, and the experience and observations collected during the workshops with Saitama University students.

About Adriana E. Edwards Wurzinger: Adriana is an associate professor at Saitama University, Adriana teaches Preparation for TOEIC classes, and academic lectures and speaking classes on Race and Ethnicity; European History of the Middle Ages; Religion, Popular Culture and the Witch-craze in Medieval and Modern Europe; Sociology of Identity; Global Culture; and Presentation Skills (Public Speaking). Since 2006, Adriana has coordinated and directed five drama workshops for the Center for English Education and Development. Students and teachers alike have shown increasing interest in these theatrical adventures, and the annual workshops have become a popular activity and a trademark of our department. As a coordinator, she wears that badge proudly.

Organization: Saitama Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Saitama JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1000 yen

Venue: Sakuragi Kominkan, 5th Fl

Location: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

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Website: www.saitamajalt.com

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