Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Unreal]

I'm considering having my students write short plays and act them out as part of a final class project. I have classes of 18-22 students so I'm thinking of breaking them up into 4 or 5 groups, each group writing, directing and acting in their own plays.

Has anyone tried something like this and how did you do it? How did it turn out?

I think once they get going it should be no problem for them but I need some way to get them started and some guidelines. Final exams are coming soon and we have almost a month of school left after final grades are in so I need something to keep them motivated after the grading is finished.

[Qinella]

I've tried to do short roleplays with students, wherein they write the script. First off, what is the age and ability level? If they are beginner or low intermediate, you will need to give them a basic outline for at least the beginning of a play. If they are advanced, you should give them characters and set the scene for them. For example: Five students, each with a different personality, on a vacation in a foreign country and they get lost.

Now, if they are very creative and have their own ideas, just let them run with it.

What you'll find is that there will be one, maybe two, students in each group that dominates. The others will either just sit there and watch, or help by giving ideas to the writer.

Also, just so you don't embarrass yourself when a kid pulls out his electronic dictionary in class, there is no such word as playwrite.

[Unreal]

My students are first grade in high school and are very good at speaking. I want to give them as much freedom as I can so that they do get creative but at the same time enough direction to get them started but not limit their creativity too much. I'm thinking about either providing several props that they all must use in their plays in some way or a theme or introductory scene. I would like them to create their own characters but I'm not sure how well that will work.

[pavement burns]

At hagwon it was often a week of drilling nursery rhymes with a piano and a penchant for Hickorey Dickorey Dock. More vocal students get more lines. Then a parade of skits like the seven deadly dwarfs, the cookie man, etc. Give them options, a familiar story and an idea of what you want them to do.

At university the students were press-ganged into groups to do dialogue type plays and skits. When given several options, such as music or acting a play or a puppet show, the group activities appeared as almost a variety. Good thing the classroom was a seminar room for two-hundred
fifty. I would deliver surprises upon the group, such as a full house of spectators at the last minute.

A mike and portable speaker hastily foisted from a circle room was useful and surprisingly puppeteers voices appear to gain strength when hidden behind the podiums. Let them bring the guitars in and sing some English tune if they would prefer that as an option. Students love options.

[luvnpeas]

I am becoming more interested in having my students do skits. I think I tend to have my students do too much writing (I teach elementary school).

Any resources? A book of English-language skits for young ESL learners would be very convenient! W Web site? I thought I might have them act out some traditional Korean folk tales, such as that one of the princess who is sacrificed to the sea monster so her father can see.....

[ddeubel]