Drama games can make primary school children excited about learning English. Drama engages their imaginations and can be a fun change to their routine. They can explore a variety of scenes, from a supermarket to a fantasy world.
In this blog, we’ll explore how you can use theatre games in English to develop your children’s English speaking and listening skills. We often use these kinds of fun activities in our English classes for children, because they help children learn better: https://www.britishcouncil.sg/english-courses/kids-teens/lower-primary
Start by getting children up and moving
The idea of doing drama or theatre can be intimidating to some children. We’re not all budding movie stars! Use a warm-up activity to make shy children (and parents!) feel more comfortable. The goal is to get everyone moving around, with no pressure. creative.
You can try these ideas to get started:
- Clapping games
Players sit in a circle (or facing each other, if there are only two of you). The first player claps a rhythm. The following player must repeat the rhythm. You can try counting out loud in English to make the play more challenging.
- ‘Keep fit’ actions
This is similar to a clapping game, but you use the whole body. The first player does a big movement with their arms and legs (e.g. reaching to the ceiling or doing a star jump). Other players copy the movement.
- Warm-up dances
Beat by Beat Press has a wide range of activities, including one called Shake it off. In this activity, players shake their arms and legs in order, following the music.
If you’re doing drama games with secondary school children, you can try these group activities from the British Council. It’s also possible to do these drama games with as few as three, four or five people.
How to use role play to teach children English
Role-play games allow you and your children to try being different people. Or you can explore imaginary worlds. Do remember not to ‘block’ your child. For example, if they say a blue elephant walked into the room… just agree. It does not matter if it’s logical.
It is a good idea to have some scenes to choose from – in case your children can’t think of any imaginary roles to play. You can write ideas on scraps of paper and put them in a bowl to choose. Here are some examples:
- You are learning to ski or surf
- You are using a pottery wheel
- You are introducing a friend to your fantastic new pet dragon or tiger
- You are showing a friend around your luxury mansion or palace
- You are having an English lesson – but your child is the teacher.
Why not turn your role-play games into a proper event? The British Council has a theatre invitation craft activity, so your child can ask friends and family to come to their English theatre show.
How to play ‘Yes, no, please, banana’
Play the ‘questions game’
‘The questions game’ is a good choice for children who already know some English vocabulary. You choose a scenario and act it out, one line at a time. The challenge is that every line of the play must be a question, in English. Players answer with another question.
For example:
‘Can I come in the house?’
‘Are your shoes clean?’
‘Why would they be dirty?’ … See how many lines of questions you can get!
Free mime activities to help kids learn English
If your child has just started studying English, mime is a great way to introduce them to a few new English vocabulary words at a time. They’ll soon grow their English vocabulary. You can also use these mime activities with more advanced learners – mime can help them build on the English vocabulary they already know.
- Sign language poetry
Your children don’t have to know sign language to appreciate these expressive poems. Just teach them a few signs and say a few words in English as you do the activity. Watch the UK’s first sign language poetry slam from 2017 to find examples to try.
- The English adverb game
In this game, one player secretly chooses an English adverb (e.g. quickly, clumsily, happily, slowly...). Other players can ask them to perform any action (walk, dance, fry an egg, for example) using the mystery adverb. Everyone tries to guess the correct adverb.
- Where are we?
Think of a place your child knows. Choose somewhere you go together. Mime activities you do in that place. Your child has to guess where you are (e.g. the swimming pool or the supermarket). Afterwards, you can switch roles.
- What is it?
This activity is more dramatic if you have an empty bag as a prop. Mime taking an imaginary object out of the bag (for example, a new puppy, a pencil, a carrot, a watch…) and mime using it. Your child has to guess what you’ve got.
Free resources for drama games for kids
You don’t need to be a drama teacher to help your children learn English through theatre. Parents can use simple ideas to encourage kids to use their imagination. There are also plenty of resources online, including how to put on a proper play and advice on developing drama characters. You may even inspire your children to start using more English vocabulary in their own play times.