ESL Books Teaching English with Play Scripts

Producing a play, even Reader's Theater, can be a powerful tool for teaching English speaking skills such as pronunciation, body language and gesture, and prosody. Drama games and activities build community and help students speak more fluently.

This bundle of original play-based textbooks for students is perfect for running a communication class or a drama club or even a group project. Designed for English-language learners (ESL), but flexible enough to be used in English Language Arts (ELA) class, the plays in our Integrated Skills through Drama and Short Plays for English Learners provide invaluable experience letting students practice difficult situations like criticizing a boss or discussing problems with a relationship.

As they practice and produce the play, they learn a wide range of communication skills including using voice and gesture, making appropriate choices in register and word choice, and navigating rhetorical moves in a conversation. And of course, they’re doing in all in the safe and fun environment of the stage.

Rather than focusing on discrete grammar items or vocabulary, our plays let students put on a mask, enter an authentic situation, and experiment with natural language to solve problems and achieve objectives. They build confidence to communicate in the real-world. And they participate in an engaging and motivating group project.

Each book contains:

• an original short play script (20-30 minutes long)
• warm-up discussion and writing tasks to introduce the theme
• pronunciation activities
• pragmatics activities
• guidance putting on a play
• background readings on the themes of the play
• writing activities such as creating a sequel
• improv and drama games
• extension activities like staging a panel discussion or debate

Each book is fully printable in this special, Teachers Pay Teachers exclusive edition.

What are you waiting for? The play's the thing!

More drama resources on Teachers Pay Teachers here.

And find free articles and activities on doing drama at: www.alphabetpublishingbooks.com/plays-for-students/

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Reviews for the Integrated Skills Through Drama Series

I can say without hesitation that teachers and students will find the series Integrated Skills through Drama, of which this book forms part, a treasure trove of teaching ideas, covering areas like pronunciation, grammar, pragmatics, discussion themes and a host of suggested activities, all built around a short play.

—Charlyn Wessels Dyers, Author of Drama in the Oxford Resource Series for Teachers

Drama in the performance of texts is one of the most compelling of language learning resources. It develops pronunciation, grammar and conversational skills, provides spin-off into writing, offers unlimited repetition without boredom—and most importantly, fosters the creation of a learning community through co-operative ensemble work. This book offers a wealth of preparatory activities, suggestions for varied ways of using the text and helpful suggestions for follow-up.

—Alan Maley

This is a really well-structured drama resource that I’m excited to try out in the classroom! There is a real humanistic feel about the author’s approach, with a whole range of activities encouraging learners to share personal responses, explore the emotions of others and really engage with the themes and characters in the play.

— Peter Clements, British Council