Did you have an opportunity to learn Drama in school? What did you love about your Drama lessons, and what skills did you learn through them? While the Maharashtra State Curriculum lacks a Drama component, at ALF we often find ways to integrate drama into our English lessons. Usually this takes the form of role-plays and short skits. It has been a wonderful journey for our fellows, many of whom started off a little shy but are now vocal drama enthusiasts!
In a recent English class, students had a chance to bring the characters from their novel, Esperanza Rising, to life. Students started off by revisiting the relevant chapters, and drawing out the most significant events. They did this in groups, debating and discussing what was significant and why.
Next, students worked in teams to prepare their role-play. The first step involved planning out each scene and assigning characters.
After this, students got started with the acting. They began to develop their script and practice this in character.
Students had numerous opportunities to develop their leadership skills: they had to collaborate, to motivate each other, and to work collectively to a deadline. They also had to develop their communication and expression skills, portraying each character accurately and sensitively.
It has been a joy to see students’ confidence and skills develop, as well as their flair for the dramatic!