Drama and theater arts: Their acceptability in the teaching of English in the tertiary level

Abstract

Both drama and theater arts share a fundamental concern for languages particularly the spoken word. Both can help build up; more flexible approach specifically in the teaching and learning of English as a second language. The various aspects of drama and theater arts are important in language lessons not merely insofar as the use of words in a language is concerned but also very significantly, in the effectiveness of voice and diction as means of express lion. The research methodology applied in this study is a combination of experimental and descriptive methods. First semester of the school year 1988-89, To make the interpretation of the data reliable, valid and with depth, statistical techniques such as percentage and ranking were used. Drama and theater arts produced satisfactory effects on the part of the students, professors, department heads and dean of school, as shown by the students’ ability to express their ideas through the script in dramatic arts, and through the written works based on an assigned beta-movie/film of a play end the theater arts, The problems that possibly occur in the teaching of English integrating or using drama are: shyness among students and non-cooperation on the part as well. The possible solutions to the problems met by the professors in teaching English integrating drama lessons and instructions are group contests and praise given to students. This study is recommended for use of professors in teaching English at the tertiary level so that students may become aware of the different linguistic demands placed upon them when they assume various social roles. Acting out on the part of the students may help them experience and distinguish the appropriateness of number of social registers.