The English Teaching Theatre [antikvár]

INTR0DUCT10N The English Teaching Theatre was launched in a small London theatre in the summer of 1970 by International House, an English-teaching organization based in London. It was the brainchild of John Haycraft, Chairman of International House, and the project, which was supported by the BBC's English by Radio and Television Service, grew out of his conviction that the techniques by which stage writers and actors command the willing attention of the audience could be successfully applied to teaching English. At the same time a live show combining entertainment with English teaching was likely to appeal to the thousands of people who flock to London, especially in the summer months, to learn English. The programme of dramatic sketches and songs, each demonstrating a linguistic point, was introduced by a Master of Ceremonies, in cap and gown, who encouraged the audience to jóin in the songs and organized oral exercises in the pauses while the scene was changed and the four actors put on their costumes for the next sketch. The first season was an immediate success, and the English Teaching Theatre has now become a regular annual event. The producer and writer of much of the material presented in the English Teaching Theatre is Piers Plowright of the BBC who alsó produced radio adaptations of many items which were broadcast in the BBC's English by Radio Service. These were so well received that the BBC has decided to issue a selection of the programmes in this permanent form, for the pleasure of individual students of English and for the many teachers who have written to the BBC to say they would like to be able to use the recordings in class. Each programme consists of a short dramatic sketch, somé drills and a song, all related to a particular English language structure. The following method of using the programmes in the classroom is suggested: 1)Prepare the structure that is being taught in the programme in class. Use question and answer, visual cues and mime. 2)Give a short précis of the dramatic scene the pupils will hear in the programme. Make sure that proper names, places and any difficult vocabulary are understood.