Readers Theatre in the Chinese EFL Classroom: Setting the Stage for Oral Performance

Abstract

Readers Theatre is an example of a story dramatization in which readers read a story and transform the story into a script for reading aloud (Sloyer, 1989). The scripts are then performed using only voices and facial expressions. To portray the characters in the story, readers strive for voice flexibility, good articulation, proper pronunciation, and projection. This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of Chinese EFL learners of Readers Theatre as a way to improve their oral English .The participants for this study were PRC students enrolled in a Communication Skills course in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. A survey questionnaire was designed to evaluate learners’ reactions to the Readers Theatre activity and the data were also triangulated by the teachers` observations of learners’ attitudes and behaviours. The findings from this study showed that a majority of Chinese EFL learners reacted positively to the use of Readers Theatre as a way to enhance their oral English performance. In addition, the RT activity provided the opportunity for Chinese EFL learners to engage in different language use functions such as asking and answering questions, solving problems, expressing their opinions, and arguing and persuading. Readers Theatre is a rewarding language learning experience for Chinese EFL learners as it boosts their confidence in using English in a real communicative context.