Paradigms of Theatre as Emerging Trends in Language Learning &Teaching: Issues and Challenges in ESL Classrooms

Abstract

Language teaching involves several challenges for a language teacher. Teaching English as a second language with theatrical techniques gives numerous advantages. Theatre can be assimilated into the language classrooms efficiently to attain communicative purpose by incorporating the four language skills (LSRW). Theatre in language learning has a clear pedagogical aim concentrating on the personal and social development of the learners. It encourages learners to imagine, indulge, act and learn. Theatre can assist, facilitate and foster language skills i.e. listening, reading, speaking, writing, and their integrated linguistic competence by making a suitable meaningful context. Moreover, it is a powerful tool that indulges learners into interactive responses throughout the whole class. It also enables learners to connect emotion and cognition as it enables them to make the connection between thought and action. Teaching English as a second language naturally comprises a balance between receptive and productive skills; here theatre techniques in pedagogy effectively deal with this requirement. Theatre is dynamic in enhancing learner’s confidence, creativity, motivation in learning.