THE THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED: A TECHNIQUE TO TEACH ENGLISH

Techniques to implement in the classroom

1-    The Legislative Theatre functions to determine the need to create or enact laws. The teacher can therefore implement this technique by allowing the students to think of rules that everyone will believe to work out in the classroom. By let them come up with rules, they will be more willing to take part in a good learning environment instead of being told what to do by the teacher, thus breaking barriers between teacher (authority)- students and encouraging interaction between both of them.

2-    With the Image Theatre technique, students can develop their creative thinking by using non-verbal expression that can depict abstract or concrete concepts representing feelings and situations in a scenario where everyone can act out a role. This will enhance students’ social skills and get to know each other in a dynamic environment.

3-    Forum Theatre can be used as a technique for students to react against a situation that presents a problem to be solved. Therefore, the students, who have previously been spectators, will be transformed in spec-actors. The teacher can divide the classroom into two groups: one will enact a bad situation and the other will watch. Afterwards, the spectators will have to take action by trying to solve it in order to make the world (classroom) a better place.

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