Using Drama Activities in an Oral Expression Class for Trainee English Language Teachers in a French University Setting (MEEF 1)

Abstract

This article describes in some detail the drama-based approach and activities used in an oral expression class taught by the author as part of the first semester of the Masters (MEEF 1) program at the Université Paris Est - Créteil. Based on the author's reflective analysis of his own classroom practice, the article seeks to show how certain aspects of drama training can be applied to address the specific performance demands of the oral exam of the CAPES (Certificat d'aptitude au professorat de l'enseignement du second degré). It is argued that such a drama-based approach is particularly suitable for training students in order that they might better meet the jury's non-language requirements for these épreuves orales.