DRAMA (Georgia Ross) 25 October, 2004 Teaching English Through Teaching Drama In order to a language fluently, one must accept the culture from which the language springs. There is no more effective tool for breaking down inhibitions and facilitating language use than creating an environment where failures are rewarded, mistakes applauded and "risky behavior" is encouraged. In short, there is no better way to learn a language than through drama and stage craft. Corporations and business English classes call it "learning to make presentations". I suppose Oral English calls it "interaction and role play". Call it what you will but it all boils down to the art of drama where you are teaching people to: 1. Focus on message Why are you speaking? 2. Practice body language. How are you speaking. It is not about you. Leave yourself out of this. You are the medium through which the message flows. 3. Practice the language through the meaning of the words and sentences. What are you saying? Remember the power of the pause. FOCUS ON MESSAGE (What's your point) To inform (history of the school, your people, a special effects technique etc.) To Instruct (How to use digital special effect, how to get to the bathroom, Where is the fire escape) To Stimulate (Language used here is more vivid and builds toward connecting with your audience. Develop your character or create situation identification) To Convince (Create logical motivation- plot is working toward a climax, a solution should be at hand. In irony, the solution is a twist but the solution should be obvious before you pull the rug out.) To Activate (Ideas must be presented with strong emphasis on the results of proscribed actions- this is an absolute necessity in presenting a creative production idea to a potential backer). In all cases, make it as brief as the message allows. PRACTICE BODY LANGUAGE The Mime (Be a piece of bacon sizzling, Be a washing machine, Now get together and be a car) (Be an ingenue, be a king, be a slave, be a convict-no words please but you can moan, groan, laugh, giggle etc.) (Eat a fabulous meal, eat dog poop, be drunk, be sober in a room of drunks, rescue a child from a fire, jump out of a plane, roll a cigarette etc.) (Hold a pose, freeze, freeze happy, freeze terrified) Analyze.(In the mirror or in front of class) Stage Fright The number one ranked fear cited by audiences all over the world is the fear of public speaking. Death ranks #7 1. Preparation (Knowing what and how you are going to say something and the reason you are saying it reduces stage fright by 75%) 2. Arrive early (Walk through the auditorium, theater, conference room before the production, check you props, a.v. etc. use the microphones and check the sound before you get on stage) 3. Breathing: practice your breathing and facial exercises to warm up you muscles and vocal chords. 4. Visualize yourself speaking (make yourself a hero, make yourself master of the universe) 5.Know that the audience wants you to succeed probably more than you do. 6. Don't apologize about your nervousness. If you must, joke but don't apologize. 7. Concentrate on you message- (This is not about you, stupid!) 8. Stage fright is actually an asset. It keeps you on point. 9. Interact with the audience. Look 'em in the eye, speak to them, not at them with your heart. Ask yourself, or them, if appropriate, what they need to know. If this is a presentation, not a role, ask questions of them. Sometimes it helps to hand out cards with questions on them and ask the people to give you answers. PRACTICE MEANING What are you saying? We have covered the why and the how now the What. 1. Again, know your material!!!!. If you know your material you will be able to deliver it naturally. 2. Like your audience. No, better, love your audience or detest them. a. Use simple words. Only use compound words or double entendres when you know the audience well and know they can understand everything you are saying.Think of Nokia, they know they are smarter than everyone else. That is why they build simpler products that any idiot can use. b. Never ever say "Everybody knows" they don't. Don't say "obviously". It makes you sound stupid because nothing is obvious. c. This isn't about you!! Stay on point. What you say is for the audience. You are the medium. d. Watch your speed. Talk slowly and remember the pause. It is the most powerful tool in the kit. e. Be brief, your audience will love you for limiting your message to the message. f. Use complete sentences. NEVER use just key words or professional bus words. g. If you are using slides, power point etc. refrain from jokes especially in a room where there are people of different nationalities. Try to be original with your graphics. Don't be cute and don't be obscure. WRITE LARGE AND IN PRIMARY COLORS. Be tidy, not artistic. h . If this is a presentation, summarize your main points. 3. Thank your audience (for not stoning you). SMILE!   Microsoft Word Document Drama.doc