Book Reviews: Process Drama for Second Language Learning and Teaching

As a teacher in an international school, I adhere to the mantra that no matter what you teach, no matter your experience, when working internationally, all teachers are language teachers, and we are responsible for making the language of instruction accessible for our learners – a mantra reflected in Process Drama for Second Language Learning and Teaching.

The book begins with a brief history of how the skills of drama have been used since the 1970s in the language learning classroom and how its processes are of value for those who use and apply communicative pedagogies in their classroom practice. Following this comes a very clear and helpful explanation of what process drama is in the classroom – a learning process and not a process which leads to performance. This introductory chapter also outlines the argument that process drama leads the student to experiment, go deeper and produce language which is beyond the controlled practice elements that exist within most language learning classes. Beyond seeing process drama as a technique for developing language skills, Baldwin and Galazka eloquently link drama to the current concept of twenty-first century skills. The skills are explained and linked with process drama, and it is very easy to see how process drama can facilitate the development of these skills.

The final section of the book gives an excellent overview and ‘how-to’ of activities and exercises that can be used by the language teacher when conducting a class using process drama. These skills are further illustrated across six very detailed units of learning which are also supported with additional resources. My only criticism is that the units of learning are meant for A2-C2 language learners but in my opinion, they are more geared towards B2+ learners.

Overall, the book is a great resource for teachers, language or otherwise, as it does not attempt to preach or overexplain process drama or language acquisition, but instead provides an excellent array of drama activities and exercises that can be used in a process drama or as independent activities that support the development of the four language skills.