Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
12th ELT RESEARCH CONFERENCE, Çanakkale, Türkiye, 16 - 18 Mayıs 2022, ss.21, (Özet Bildiri)
There is a recognized need for increasing young learners’ (YLs) motivation and comprehension in learning English. Drama has emerged as a powerful tool for teachers to help promote YLs’ performance during their lessons as it gives the chance to practice various skills while learning English. Drama integration might create a positive classroom environment and learners’ self- confidence might increase accordingly. In such an environment language learning occurs seamlessly, since listening, speaking, and reading practices are naturally included in a drama activity. Additionally, as each learner has a role in it, they can work collaboratively. Based on teacher observation regarding students’ performance and needs, this study was conducted first to help learners participate in classroom activities while learning English. A combined qualitative and quantitative methodological approach was used to explore the effects of integrating drama on YLs’ improvement of their reading and listening skills. The participants were 24 YLs (1st grade, 6-7 years old) of a private Turkish school. Data were collected via pre-and post-test before and after the drama-based English classes. Teacher reflection was another data collection tool to track and reflect on the experiences of the participants about drama. Paired sample t-test was utilized to analyze the quantitative data and thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative part. The principal findings of this research reported the positive impact of drama integration on YLs’ comprehension along with positive reflections about learning and teaching English using drama. The results presented in this study add to our understanding that integrating drama activities are exclusively beneficial for YLs in terms of promoting their English language skills. That being the case, institutions, program designers, teachers, and other stakeholders might find ways to include drama activities in the course of teaching English.