Decades of research attest to Drama being a tremendously e ective tool for language and literacy development. Drama develops language contextually, aids vocabulary development, promotes uency, integrates learners from di erent language groups, encourages collaboration and provides highly engaging pedagogical strategies. This practical workshop introduces participants to some basic strategies to aid language development through Drama, then delves into more complex approaches. You’ll participate in activities that combine translanguaging approaches with forum theatre, storytelling and physical theatre. This workshop is suitable for Primary and lower secondary contexts, with particular emphasis on linguistically diverse classrooms. This approach sees EAL/D learners as an asset and focuses on the strength of their funds of knowledge that enrich Australian classrooms. Participants will receive a workshop booklet with all activities and a sca old to plan EAL/D and Drama strategies independently.

About the Presenter

Rachael Jacobs is a lecturer in Creative Arts Education at Western Sydney University and a former secondary teacher (Dance, Drama and Music) and primary Arts specialist. Rachael has facilitated arts projects in community settings all over Australia, including in refugee communities, in prisons and in women’s refuges. In 2016 contributed to the arts education component of the OECD report on the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and she is currently assisting in the analysis for UNESCO’s International Commission on Futures of Learning. She is also a community activist, a freelance writer, aerial artist, South Asian dancer and choreographer.