The use of drama techniques to enhance the development of communicative skills, specifically speaking in the EFL classroom

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore drama techniques for the development of communicative skills when learning a foreign language. To this end, the research considered a 10th grade foreign Ianguage class and u sed direct observations, play rehearsals, recordings and class reflection. Within this enquiry, drama techniques were approached as collaborative and supportive tools to build speaking skills. The study intended to approach the language classroom vía drama techniques, enhance pair or work group through small-scale language projects, to explore verbal language features to foster more authentic interaction and finally to provide context­building action in the foreign language. In conclusion, the present research demonstrated that drama techniques and their associated tasks allowed learners to improve language features connected to body language, confídence when speaking in English and the development of group ­oriented skills with the purpose of improving communication skills in a more authentic manner.