When it comes to dramatics, people often think of glamor, gorgeous costumes and sophisticated make-up. In fact, dramatics can be applied effectively in many fields, especially education, thereby stimulating the potential of students.
Dramatic performance by students in Hanoi
Stimulation of potential
In most Western countries, dramatics are taught as a separate subject in the school to stimulate potential of students. As in painting or music, the practitioner of dramatics is first acquainted with and explores the various angles of themselves. They practice regularly with their bodies, emotions, through listening, feeling themselves and interacting with others. For children, a drama program that fits the needs of psychoanalytic development can help children build character and live in harmony with the collective and the society.
Besides, the dramatics is exploited in teaching different subjects. Every year, the Drama in Education Conference held in Germany discusses new research into the use of drama in subjects, especially foreign languages. Exercise in voice, acts, gestures, creativity of scenario and characters help students increase their ability to concentrate and remember lessons more comfortably and easily. In particular, teachers also have access to and practice drama to renew their communication: Learning to use body language, draw attention, release stress, observe and listen to students effectively.
In our country, the application of drama in teaching subjects is quite new. Coming to Vietnam in the past 7 years and teaching at public and private institutions in Hanoi, French artist and drama teacher Quentin Delorme is particularly interested in the educational environment here where dramatics can be flexibly applied to enhance the efficiency of teaching and learning: “After working in many schools, both public and private, I found teaching methods to Vietnamese students very different from Europe. Vietnamese students have the strengths to remember and discipline better, but weak in imagination and creativity. Therefore, in order for them to develop comprehensively, have independent thoughts and thinking, and be allowed to make mistakes without fear, the teaching method should be changed.”.
Learning in another language
Unable to introduce dramatics to all schools, Quentin Delorme chose to open a workshop on Application of dramatics in teaching for teachers, to help them develop new ways of teaching and to pass on to students, spread widely in society. “The Workshop took place in two days of 10th and 12th of April, in Hanoi, not to teach drama teachers, but to realize the values that can bring to students,” – said Quentin Delorme.
The artist focuses on instructing the teachers to use the mind and body language to attract the students’ attention and apply the drama exercises in various subjects. This is also an opportunity for each participant to share difficulties in class and to find solutions through creative approaches to the dramatics. The artist desires that experience dramatic exercises will help teachers find ways to start an effective class, improve the atmosphere of the classroom, help students develop their memory skills, and stimulate the creativity and flexibility, etc.
“Before, I was not very specific about the use of dramatics in teaching, but now I look more closely at this type, to guide students in the learning process. I suggest they play with mathematics and chemistry, although it is difficult. Literature and social studies make it easier, but very rarely do they find out. Beside dramatics, they can film, play puppet shows, lectures, etc. but I still like dramatics, because then the students will express the highest emotions. As children’s emotions develop, they respect themselves and others,” – said Ms. Thu Thuy, a teacher in Technology 10, Tran Phu High School in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. “Through drama, students approach knowledge in a way that is different from written language, at the same time, promote imagination, creativity and skills. When having skills, students have many ways to receive knowledge and impart knowledge to others.”
People’s Representative Newspaper