Students' and teachers' perspectives on the use drama technique in efl classrooms

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate in order to teachers' and students' perceptions on the use of drama technique in EFL classrooms. It was attempted to explore the following areas relating to the use of drama in the field of EFL: teacher's knowledge on the types of drama activities, possible benefits and difficulties in the application of drama activities; and further, student's perceptions on the drama activites applied in their EFL classsrooms. The data was gathered from eight public schoolos in Bursa, Turkey. 200 students and 40 teachers participated in the present study. The data were collected from both teachers and students through questionnaires and interviews. According to the findings, teachers have some opinions about what drama activities are, but it seemes that they are not equipped with the necessary knowledge to use them effectively enough.0n the other hand, it appears that the heavy workload they have in the schools prevent them using these activites properly in their EFL classrooms. Students in EFL classrooms have positive attitudes towards the lesson with drama activities since they seem to find them enjoyable and motivateing. The implications for the EFL classrooms were also offered.