Marjo Piironen: Process Drama as a Tool for Language Education, SOAS, University of London
Channel: SOAS University of London
Date: 30/01/2013

This is a keynote presentation by Marjo Piironen (North Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Finland) at the Using Drama in Language Learning Workshop at SOAS, University of London on 13 November 2009. Further information: http://www.soas.ac.uk/lwwcetl/events/workshops/13nov2009-using-drama-in-language-learning.html

Language learning today is focused increasingly on language education. In addition to building up a student's linguistic competence, language education has other goals, such as developing a learner's interaction and interpersonal skills. According to the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) the aims of language teaching are plurilingualism and pluriculturalism. Reaching these goals calls for more emphasis on communicative and experiential language learning methods. The aim of this presentation is to discuss process drama as a tool for language education. Process drama is a method in which the learners and the teacher explore a theme, a problem or a situation by using various drama techniques. Process drama offers numerous opportunities for authentic communication as well as more structured language practice.