Using Drama Activities in Vocabulary Acquisition

Abstract

Many different pedagogical methodologies are applied in the field of English as a foreign language. One of the less-used strategies in Saudi Arabia is teaching and learning vocabulary through drama. This study represents an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of English drama activities for the vocabulary acquisition of second\foreign language learners and how English teachers can use drama in the L2 classroom. Five types of drama activities for learning vocabulary are used in this research: mime, storytelling, role play, simulation, and improvisation. This study was conducted on two preparatory-year classes. Each class was divided into six classes of 36 students. The students were homogenous in terms of gender and level of English language proficiency. The results show that drama helped the learners engage in learning new vocabulary in non-constructed learning environment, and facilitated vocabulary acquisition effectively and accurately in various contexts.