Drama Education and English Language Teaching MA

University of Warwick

Course Overview

This unique MA programme offers students an in-depth insight into the ways drama and theatre education can enhance teaching and learning in primary secondary and tertiary education specifically in the field of English Language Teaching and Learning. We introduce you to a range of hybrid pedagogic strategies that are underpinned by rigor and that aspire to make language learning accessible playful creative and engaging. You will engage with cutting-edge theory and practice-led research related to the ways drama and theatre can be used as pedagogical tools. This MA is aimed at practitioners working in schools and colleges and community and educational theatre settings and will be of interest to those working in the areas of TEFL/TESOL.

The course of study provides a planned and structured programme which is sufficiently flexible to respond to the needs of a wide range of pedagogic and cultural contexts. Practical activities are at the heart of our course structure so there will be a number of opportunities to work with your peers collaborating debating and researching practical solutions. Your interdisciplinary skill set will be developed throughout the MA enabling you to pursue a diverse array of career pathways.

Teaching and Assessment

This course provides practical experience of a wide range of drama and theatre practices. Modules taken in Applied Linguistics develop your understanding of key approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and English Language Learning (ELT). The weekly practical workshops are run by Module Leaders invited guests and students themselves. These workshops give you hands-on experience of drama as well as methods and ideas for using drama and theatre in your workplace. The core modules on this course are assessed through a combination of essays and performances. You’ll also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project with support from a member of academic staff. You will have 9 hours core contact time in Autumn and Spring Term plus rehearsal time and regular trips to local schools and theatres and guest lectures and performances throughout the year.

Skills from this degree

• Theoretical understanding of how and why drama can support language learning with particular attention to issues relating to second language learning
• Awareness of the social dynamics of the classroom and their implications for the teaching-learning process
• Critical analysis and evaluation of current research in drama education and ELT
• Formulate a relevant research question and design a valid project to inquire into it
• Plan and execute successful drama workshops focusing on language development
• Ability to advocate the use of teaching of ELT

Careers

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Academy 360; Ark Schools; British Council; Department of Education; E-Act; Oxfordshire County Council; PricewaterhouseCoopers and Royal Academy of Engineering. They have pursued roles such as: actors entertainers and presenters; business research and administrative professionals; chief executives and senior officials; education advisers and school inspectors; further education teaching professionals and vocational and industrial trainers and instructors.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Education
• Careers with Children and Young People
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year