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English teacher trainees recently explored how oracy and drama can deepen pupils’ understanding of language, literature and communication during a subject-specific training session.
Led by Secondary English Subject Lead Juliet Searle, the session focused on how structured talk opportunities and performance can support pupils to develop ideas and consolidate their learning. Trainees considered how classroom discussion can help pupils explore interpretations of texts and develop confidence in communicating their thinking.
Note: Trainees dress down on drama training days to allow full participation in practical activities.
Through practical drama activities, trainees stepped into the role of pupils to experience how performance can support the exploration of character, tone and meaning in dramatic texts. Experiencing these approaches first-hand helped trainees reflect on how drama can bring texts to life in the classroom while also supporting pupil engagement and developing communication skills.
“Oracy and drama allow pupils to explore texts actively rather than passively. When students speak, perform, and respond to one another, they deepen both their understanding of the text and their confidence as communicators.”
These approaches quickly translated into classroom practice. Reflecting after delivering a drama-based activity with their own pupils, one current trainee shared:
“I used drama and oracy to conduct a press conference in my lesson today. Three students were the characters of The Monster, Dr Frankenstein and Agathe and the rest of the class were journalists questioning them about William's death. It was such a fantastic lesson that everyone contributed to and enjoyed (they really got into character). Their assessment is writing a newspaper article about William's death, so this activity fit the scheme so well!”
Sessions like this form part of the wider programme supporting trainees to develop strong subject knowledge alongside practical classroom expertise.
Visit our English Teacher Training page to learn more about our programme or to start your journey towards teaching.