Process drama in the classroom: A case study of developing participation for advanced EAL learners in an international school
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Published Version
Date
2021
Authors
McDonnell, Dearbhla
O'Boyle, Aisling
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of German, University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
This paper reports on a study of the use of process drama in an international primary school in the Netherlands. The research investigated the extent to which using process drama could develop participation for advanced EAL learners. In addition, we sought to understand pupils’ perspectives. Using a qualitative methodology, we undertook a case study approach focusing on six advanced EAL learner pupils (9-10-year-olds). We implemented the process drama approach during a series of nine science lessons. We collated and analysed Video recording of lessons, the class teacher’s written observations, a research journal, two interviews and a focus group with the case study participants using an arts-based framework of participation, previously employed by Pérez-Moreno (2018). We deployed embodied research methods. The findings suggest that using process drama as a teaching methodology increased participation, but not immediately. In addition, pupils who had not previously spoken out in lessons began to volunteer their ideas. All case study pupils reported that they considered that their participation increased.
Description
Keywords
Process drama , Participation , Primary science education , International school , EAL
Citation
McDonnell, D. and O'Boyle, A. (2021) 'Process drama in the classroom: A case study of developing participation for advanced EAL learners in an international school', Scenario: A Journal for Performative Teaching, Learning, Research, 15(1), pp. 56-75. https://doi.org/10.33178/scenario.15.1.3