Teaching The Language of Drama

Dramas and plays had long existed since the rise of the ancient Chinese and Indian Empire. In the empires, dramas are used as a medium of entertainment and also as a way for them to inculcate their culture into the people.

The legacy is then continued by newer empires such as the Roman and Greek Empire. The Greeks are more of philosophers but the Romans chose to portray violence in their plays. During the golden days of these empires, their arts are famous around the world. Writers such as Aristotle, did some famous plays during their time.

After the fall of these empires, language arts then moved on to bloom in the isles of United Kingdom, particularly in England, Ireland and Scotland. Shakespeare is maybe the most prominent writer of them all.

After being exposed to the history of dramas, i realized it's importance. Dramas and plays could not only preserve a culture of a civilization, it can also enrich it by staging folk tales and more modern and moderate tales.

Malaysia is well known for the seriousness of it's rulers to preserve it's cultural heritage. Hence, there are many steps taken in order to make language arts bloom in the country. But most of the works are in Malay. English language arts are still treated as foreign entities here in Malaysia.

As a future English teacher, to inculcate drama in my language teaching is one of my objective. One can only master a language if one appreciates it, and one way to appreciate the language is by learning it's arts.