Dramatization and Theater Performance: An Approach to the Teaching and Learning of English Literature

This case study investigated the integration of drama in English literature teaching in a British literature course for English majors at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. It attempted to explore the underlying teaching strategies through dramatization. The primary data was collected through qualitative methods, the interview and observation to get a clear picture of how drama-based lessons were conducted and brought to theater performance. The study revealed several significant findings. First, dramatization bears some resemblance to Process Drama (Kao and O’Neill 1998) in its techniques. Therefore, the researcher was able to devise a set of teaching techniques in relevance to dramatization. The consolidation of the main phrases and steps was proposed to implement dramatization effectively in this English literature class. The researcher argued that the integration of creative drama into English literature teaching was deemed effective and had the potential in building the learners’ understanding and appreciation of English literature. It is also noticeable that the performance of students’ works on stage enhanced learners’ appreciation and viewers’ literary experience.