Using Drama in the ESL Classroom
(Resource List)
1. “Creative Drama and Theatre Education Resource Site”
(www.creativedrama.com). My favorite site which resources and ideas for
creative drama, poetry, theater games, plays for performances, and includes a
book list.
2. “Creative Drama Lesson Plans” (www.childdrama.com) Included here are plays,
ideas for improvisation, and lesson plans organized by content subject, age level,
and subject.
3. “Drama in the ESL Classroom” (www.esldrama.weebly.com ). What a terrific
resource for improv, scriptwriting, process drama, readers’ theater, and even
sample curriculum.
4. How to Use Drama in ESL Lessons (www.ehow.com/how_4549222_use-dramaesl-lessons.html ) Lots of ideas on using alternate drama methods (not just plays)
but using role playing. Includes some great cautionary recommendations.
5. “Using Drama to teach sensitive issues “ (www.teachingexpertise.com ) (Founder
of “LOUD MOUTH EDUCATIONAL THEATRE COMPANY) Discusses using
drama as an approach to teach sensitive subjects including sex education (not
really allowed in Utah), tobacco withdrawal, caring for patients, etc.
6. “Using Drama to Teach English as a Foreign Language” by Kerry Boorman
(www.tesolcourse.com/tesol-course-articles/drama-teach )
7. “Using Drama to Teach English to Children (English Drama Activities for the
TEFL/TESOL Teacher” (www.teaching-abroad.suite101.com ) Reinforces the
Chinese proverb, “I hear and I forget, I listen and I remember, I do and I
understand” and the use of drama as a powerful classroom tool.
8. “Role Playing/Simulation”
(http://www.eslflow.com/roleplaysdramatheatregames.html ) Excellent lesson
ideas for role playing, with lots of background on the Theory of Language.
9. “Drama Scripts – Costume Building with Garbage” - from Dave’s ESL Café Idea
Cookbook (http://www.eslcafe.com/ ). I LOVE this website. It not only has lots of
lesson ideas and activities, but has “Stuff for Teachers” and “Stuff for Students”
and also “Stuff for Everyone.”
10. “Teach it through Drama” (www.Teach-it-through-Drama.com ). This site has
great ideas, pictures, and resource links for puppetry and masks.