LAMDA has come a long way since its beginnings in 1861, nearly 160 years ago, and it has moved with the times; embracing change and developing a syllabus and approach to examinations that has benefitted everyone. The syllabus for the exams side of its offering is refreshed and refined every five years, and for 2019 brings in gender neutral opportunities alongside the contemporary approach to the culturally diverse anthologies for each exam.
I spoke to Linda Macrow (Chief Examiner) and Faye Carmichael (Qualifications Manager), who explained that the examination syllabi for Introduction, Communication, Performance, and some Group examinations have been updated from 1 August 2019. There is also a Shakespeare examinations syllabus, which is already new from 2018, and the Musical Theatre syllabus was updated in 2016. The higher-level examinations such as the PCert LAM are unaffected by changes at this point.
Why offer LAMDA examinations to students?
Fundamentally, developing public speaking, acting and reading skills are all vital in an age where computer technology is constantly being developed and young people are communicating increasingly and in some cases almost solely through social media. In the light of this, Carmichael remarks that, ‘whether within the school curriculum, after school, within a carousel process or as a standalone weekend or evening activity, the opportunities are vast but essential to the pupils of today.’ Older students, leaving for university or careers, need communication skills to cope with the interview processes, and the communications examinations prepare them very well indeed for this. Using LAMDA as an enrichment process at 6th form level is understandably becoming a popular way of supporting communications experience.
As Macrow and Carmichael explain, some schools now offer LAMDA as part of the Drama/English curriculum and this is giving a larger number of students opportunities for success in acting, reading for performance and public speaking.
Who can teach LAMDA qualifications?
Anyone can! This can be a blessing or a negative for the potential quality of teaching and delivery of the exam syllabus, of course, but Macrow tells me that ‘LAMDA is keen to encourage interested teachers or trained actors to become involved and we have developed new training courses to support the LSPP (LAMDA Syllabus in Practice: Performance) and LSPC (LAMDA Syllabus in Practice: Communication). Potential or existing teachers can sign up to a 5 day course with an assessment on the 6th day, and these have been designed to be accredited as a CPD course.’ (This accreditation is at present still pending).
Resources and training
The new anthologies and syllabus books are available from 1 April to purchase from LAMDA's online store. What is very exciting is the new training mechanisms that LAMDA has put into place, and, as Carmichael explains, ‘this should suit the contemporary teacher – webinars, face to face seminars, an online magazine which lists changes, updates, news and a variety of online (free and really helpful) teaching resources are all available.’
For those of us who don't live in London, it is positive to learn that LAMDA is very keen to develop regional training courses, to ensure that no-one feels unsupported or isolated. However, as Macrow explains, ‘this proposal relies on attendance’ and many of us working in far flung parts of the UK need to show enthusiasm and support for this idea in order for it to take off. She remarks that she'd encourage us to ‘be pro-active – let LAMDA know that you are keen, and more regional courses will be considered.’
Bonus points
LAMDA qualifications (at Level 3 only) are accredited with a points system which can be used to assist in the application for university courses. Macrow and Carmichael explain that this has often been used to positive effect when a student has lost a place by one grade dip at A level, and an argument using LAMDA points may be won and the place reinstated.
The Exam Track system in place for teachers and examiners has an interface which is user-friendly and supplies everyone involved with necessary tracking information: an easy mechanism for recording candidates. LAMDA is very approachable and openly encourages anyone with queries to contact them via phone or email.
Top tips from Macrow and Carmichael
- Ensure that you really know the syllabus and your resources are up to date
- Take advantage of the free online webinar courses and seminars on offer
- Make absolutely sure that your students focus on the knowledge section and study the whole play – not just the scene learnt!