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Juliet Searle
Secondary English Subject Lead
World Theatre Day (March 27th) is a celebration for all who appreciate the importance of the art form “theatre”, providing a call for governments and institutions to recognise its value to society.
This celebration day fell at an appropriate point in the eQualitas training programme for our trainee English teachers, not least as we assembled this week for a training day exploring the British Library within London’s Knowledge Quarter. It was wonderful to see Shakespeare’s first Folio on display in the library.
At e-Qualitas we fully embrace our training location within London’s Knowledge Quarter (out training base is next to the Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road), encouraging trainee teachers to draw on our London surroundings within the city’s Theatre district. Trainee teachers on eQ’s secondary programme regularly draw inspiration for school trip ideas from our knowledge-rich surroundings, as well as sources of information and learning resources.
This week the cohort of aspiring English teachers considered how to use resources like the National Theatre’s free online platform for teachers – linked below – to support their planning and teaching and to enrich and enhance their students’ learning in English.
The timing of World Theatre Day fell particularly well for our English cohort, as it followed last week’s training which had a very specific focus on how to use drama in English teaching. For that, my trainees and I spent time exploring the benefits of drama for their students. Drama is an area of childhood development that can be overlooked, and it can be central to a child’s creativity, self-confidence and social skills.
Here are some of the key points my trainees and I discussed around drama in childhood development:
Developing empathy
Drama workshops require members to play different characters. A good understanding of the characters, roles and subtext of plays will allow members to relate better to different situations, contexts and even cultures.
Developing creativity
In drama workshops, we explore new worlds, become people from different times and places and learn about different perspectives and ways of thinking. Exploring these things can give us the skills needed to be creative and imaginative.
Developing concentration
Drama develops students’ ability to be able to focus and control the mind, the body, and the voice.
Building confidence
Drama is a unique form of creative expression, and it takes a lot of courage to stand on a stage and speak in front of an audience. Drama workshops encourage all children to develop confidence to express their creative ideas.
Improving verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Learning to act and drama skills can help children develop their speech, communication, and presentation skills, which are vital skills in English and for life.
Encouraging teamwork and collaboration
Teamwork is undoubtedly an essential element of drama – without it, no theatre plays and performances can be performed.
Drama workshops develop social interaction
There is nothing that bonds a group of people quicker than making a piece of theatre together.
For additional information about English Teacher Training with Equalitas, visit our dedicated English Teacher Training page.