How can theater be used to promote social and emotional learning in schools?

In my son's school, they enact the literature books the children have finished reading for a particular quarter and invite the parents to watch. It helps the children live the story. Music, arts, theatre, etc., complement logical learning by helping children immerse and participate beyond words and numbers.

I am no theater person, but what I can say is that emotional learning can learned from any where or anyone and not just theater. Social learning, I believe is something worth exploring with friends and colleagues. But how to do it in a theater sense? It can be done by presenting roles that mirror the real world. Using roles that tell the truth, that is open and honest about reality. Using theater I think must include more then just teaching emotion but also how to act on emotion. If you feel a certain way, such as anger or frustration how can you over come that? Use theater to present those emotions and learn on how to become a better person.

To effectively incorporate theatre into schools to promote SEL, it is crucial to consider the following strategies: 1. Curriculum Integration: Integrate theatre activities into existing subjects such as English or social studies. For example, students can perform scenes from literature or historical events to deepen their understanding. 2. Drama Clubs & Productions: Establish drama clubs or after-school programs that allow students to explore theatrical arts more extensively. 3. Professional Development: Provide teachers with professional development opportunities focused on incorporating theatre techniques into their teaching practices. This will equip educators with necessary tools 4. Community Engagement: Collaborate with local theatre

A Theatre Pedagogy Methodology (TPM) can increase motivation in the EFL classroom for both teachers and students and it can foster High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) according to Bloom´s Taxonomy.There are many research studies carried out on Drama in Education. Fewer studies have been held regarding Drama for FL learning, although they have been increasing in the last 15 years or so. There is a study for example on clowning and improvisation in the ESL classroom (Eyrún et al, 2012) All these studies have definitely opened a path to more yet to come. A recent dissertation by Galician professor Manuel Vieites (2017), makes a strong case for Theatre Pedagogy to be considered the science of Theatre Education.

Theater promotes social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools by providing a safe space for emotional expression and empathy development. Through collaborative work, students improve communication and problem-solving skills. Performing builds self-confidence and resilience, while exposure to diverse stories enhances cultural understanding. Integrating theater into the curriculum nurtures students' holistic development, enhancing academic, social, and emotional skills.

In many occasions, teachers akin to the arts, come up with some activities that work very well in the ESL classroom, unaware that they are following a specific method that has been developed, studied and explored with detail and could lead them without frustration to significant learning. Some examples involve READERS THEATRE (RT), TABLEAUX (T) and ROLE PLAY (RP). RT is a method of repeated readings, working with intonation and emotions, that can be combined with some movement and rhythm. A TABLEAU "is a silent, human sculpture created by a group of participants to represent an interpretation of an event, action, location, or scene from a book.” (Tortello.) RP is a way for learners to understand other people´s circumstances and emotions.

All I can say to encourage teachers to use a TPM in the ESL classroom is that they need to get out of their comfort zone. It's easier than it seems and very rewarding but you have to be willing to try new things. A Theatre Pedagogy Methodology (TPM) or a Drama Based Methodology (DBM) is commonly used in countries like Canada, United Kingdom, Australia or the USA. These methodologies have an array of teaching techniques and strategies that can be very useful in education and specifically in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. Wouldn't you want to try it out and be amazed by its impact on your students?