Drama in English class

Sharjah Women's College students develop their language skills through acting

Drama lessons help students to improve their ability to communicate verbally and physically. It has been seen that students having a background in drama develop those communication skills extremely well.

English Professors at Sharjah Women's College expanded English classes so that students would have the ability to improve their language skills by acting.

Being able to express your thoughts and expand your individuality is not as easy as it may seem. With the help of creative classes, students are actually starting to feel proud of what they have accomplished through drama.

"Being able to communicate in English in front of students and professors enhanced my language ability and developed my public speaking skills," said Latifa, student at Sharjah Women's College.

Being able to become someone else for a few moments is a challenging situation. Some students find drama as an escape from reality.

"I loved the idea of involving acting in our English classes, it makes it so much fun to learn," added Latifa.

The first play staged in January was called Threads of the UAE, which presented a history of the country through various theatre styles including mime. The play was written by the students and presented to other students and staff.

"Nine girls took permission from parents in order to participate in this play," said Penny Shore, drama professor.

"It was bad enough that students suffered stage panic from their very first audience confrontation, that's why I wanted my students to feel confident about what they are presenting by concentrating on a culture they were already familiar with, as well as having as little dialogue as possible," said Penny.

The second production followed a style of theatre called neo-futuristic, which works around a performance of 11 original plays of two minutes each, and the audience determines the order of each play.

The students who wrote the scenes by themselves focused on different themes.

"My students were very pleased with doing these small humorous monologues as they were interacting with the audience," added Penny.

Theatre helps to build confidence, concentration and better public speaking skills.

"I couldn't help but notice how my students improved in so many ways, they learned how to feel confident in front of hundreds of people, as well as how to solve problems creatively," said Penny.

Learning how to interact with people is a very important part of acting skills.

"Never in my life did I imagine myself standing on stage and acting, but with the encouragement that my professor gave me I felt so sure of myself, as if I've been acting for years," said Latifa.

"I don't deny the fear I had of acting in front of people and standing on the stage, however as I started my part and felt the audience react, I felt very proud that I was part of the play."

Penny said: "It is a feeling of great pride for me to watch my students getting applause for the work they have completed, as well as a challenge to show the rest of the country that Sharjah Women's College has gifted students who are not limited in what they can accomplish."

Penny believes that drama lessons are supportive of topics students are studying in other classes - opening their minds to learning.

The university has developed extensively through the years, not only in expanding its curriculum, but also with the wide development of drama within the course.

The writer is a mass communication graduate from the American University of Sharjah