Plays, in general, are a wonderful means for role-play, characterization, improvisation and performing aloud. The dialog, in particular, is an excellent introduction to sharing a script by allowing students to work in pairs, deal with only one other, and have equal ability to express opinion, and have an active part in the performance.
Dialog Scripts
The use of dialog scripts in a drama class, language lesson, foreign language lesson, or communication groups
- enables communicative pair-work,
- creates a platform for reading aloud practice,
- teaches turn-taking and pacing,
- enhances dramatic characterization,
- adds discussion and fun to any lesson,
- results in a memorable performance.
Supplying a role-play dialog based on a topic or grammar point allows students to use language more fluently and realistically than reading regular grammar sentences from a text book. Students can also write the dialogs (in pairs) in a language lesson, using given sets of vocabulary or grammar structure. Part of the practice is the preparation it takes to act out in the class.
Role-play preparation means that students are focused on material and deal with it from many sides, such as reading, discussion, speaking, rehearsing and presentation. Usual text work can be tedious when repeated many times, but having pairs act out a scene again and again becomes entertaining, specifically because of its repetition.
Abstract Role-Play Dialogs
Abstract dialogs are even more intriguing. Abstract dialogs are those in which the words don’t quite make sense as they stand, and the students have to discuss and analyze what is silently going on between the lines. Teachers should encourage students to understand the words in the text, and try to determine the underlying reactions between the words in order to perform the abstract dialog. Results will be intriguing as the performers will show a variety of acts based on any one given script. This kind of dialog can only be given to students whom the teacher feels are mature enough to understand both the text and the underlying possibilities. From middle school-aged ESL students, through adult ESL learners, this kind of simplified text can be easy to work with, yet allow for more depth from the underlying story behind the scene.
Example of an Abstract Dialog
A: Did you bring it?
B: Why did you expect me to?
A: I told you yesterday that we need it.
B: I’ll get one later. Did you bring the stone?
A: No!
B: Well that was stupid! How are we going to do it without a stone?
Preparation by the students:
- Who are the speakers, what are their ages, what are their names?
- Where is this conversation taking place?
- What are they talking about?
- What is the “stone”?
- What was forgotten?
- What happened just before this scene?
- What happens after this scene takes place?
Ready created dialogs are available on the Internet.
Preparing a Dialog Performance
A lot of planning and discussion needs to take place in pairs for students to set up their act. The words have to make sense. The act has to flow and the audience has to understand exactly what is going on. From a dramatic point of view, the action taking place between the lines is just as important as the words themselves. The performance can also be enhanced with costumes that the teachers can help create. This activity promotes discussion, agreement, disagreement, argument, sharing of ideas, practice and presentation. Students in the audience may be challenged to summarize the content of each of the performances. The text demands their focus, understanding and an interpretation of what they have viewed.
A post performance discussion in the class can be encouraged for students to speak about the different interpretations that they saw, and they can explain which acts they liked and if they enjoyed learning via the dialogs. This feedback will encourage teachers to use dialogs again, or help adapt the idea to make it more successful at another time. Many aspects of language practice can be incorporated into the lesson via dialog role-plays and success will most likely result. Teachers can enjoy this easily prepared, creative addition to communication, drama and language lessons.
Lucille Lever - Creative teaching ideas can be incorporated into any kind of lesson. As a teacher of ESL and creative drama for more than 30 years, in a ...
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