Learn and Unlearn: Drama as an Effective Tool in Teaching English Language and Communication

It is argued that learning the importance of positive reinforcement and unlearning the de-motivating and unfruitful experiences of one’s life can help students cope up with the existing inhibition about learning a foreign language and, in turn, can motivate them to do something productive and creative. In this respect, the role of drama, in EFL classroom, has been debated and recommended for achieving the intended effects. However, it has also been suggested that the motive of teaching a foreign language like English, through drama, is not to make the young learners professionals in acting but to provide an aid to learn and rehearse the language in its given framework. Exploring such arguments in support of the use of drama in EFL classroom, the present paper highlights the benefits of using drama as a teaching methodology so as to help the students in speaking in English and help them think ‘out of the box’. The practical application of the language in real-life situations is also suggested and recommended based upon the findings of the study. As the use of drama, in EFL classroom, has many benefits for EFL learners, attempt has also been made to investigate, discuss and explore different techniques and methods through which drama can be successfully introduced and incorporated in the foreign language classrooms for effective, motivating and interesting teaching and learning.