Here are some basic drama lessons for English Language Learners (ESL - LEP) students to help motivate them creatively to practice English language skills. Improv games are a great way to warm up and then there is a script at the end of these activities for a final project after they master the games.
Improv Game: Pass the Ball (Learn about size and weight)
All players in a circle. Ask the players to pass a mimed ball to others (one ball at a time). The ball becomes heavier, until it weighs a ton, or extremely light, extremely big (and light or heavy) or extremely small (and light or heavy). Actors need to show the ball's characteristics in the way it gets passed.
Improv Game: Mirror Exercise (Learn about emotions)
Pair up actors. One actor is the mirror and must copy everything the other actor does. You can call out different emotions for them to show (happy, mad, sad, etc.). A variation on this game is called Copy Cat. With Copy Cat, you can also add sounds and copy the noises the actor makes (you can add simple words they have to say and copy).
Improv Game: Stop and Go (Learn stop, go and colors)
Leader says “Go” and everyone quietly walks around the room. Everyone says “go, go, go” as they walk. The leader calls “Stop” and everyone freezes in place and says “Stop.” Once they master stop and go, then you can try variations such as substitute “red” and “green” for stop and go. And after they master this, then you can add other colors such as “yellow” for “slow.”
Improv Game: 3 Hands (Learning about body parts)
A fun and silly game. Let everyone walk leisurely around the room. When you shout '3 Hands’ the players must form little groups, each group consisting of 3 touching hands.
Use your imagination - say 4 feet, 2 knees, 9 fingers, 3 hips, 4 elbows, 3 heads, 7 left big toes, 4 little fingers. Repeat till everyone is giggling.
Improv Game: Honey Walk (Learning listening skills/creativity)
All actors walk in place. The audience calls out different things they must walk through or on (i.e. snow, ice, trampoline, mud, clouds, jello, honey…). They must act like they are walking through the different substances.
"Rock! Sword! Firecracker!"http://www.freedrama.net/firecracker.html
This script has a lot of flexibility for cast size and students can act out the Master's story. This can teach students to listen for directions from the Master and act out what is being said. Stronger readers can be given the bigger part (Master) and readers/speakers who struggle can have small parts where they feel successful.
![Basic Drama Lessons for English Language Learners ESL LEP Students]( "Basic Drama Lessons for English Language Learners ESL LEP Students")
Improv Game: Pass the Ball (Learn about size and weight)
All players in a circle. Ask the players to pass a mimed ball to others (one ball at a time). The ball becomes heavier, until it weighs a ton, or extremely light, extremely big (and light or heavy) or extremely small (and light or heavy). Actors need to show the ball's characteristics in the way it gets passed.
Improv Game: Mirror Exercise (Learn about emotions)
Pair up actors. One actor is the mirror and must copy everything the other actor does. You can call out different emotions for them to show (happy, mad, sad, etc.). A variation on this game is called Copy Cat. With Copy Cat, you can also add sounds and copy the noises the actor makes (you can add simple words they have to say and copy).
Improv Game: Stop and Go (Learn stop, go and colors)
Leader says “Go” and everyone quietly walks around the room. Everyone says “go, go, go” as they walk. The leader calls “Stop” and everyone freezes in place and says “Stop.” Once they master stop and go, then you can try variations such as substitute “red” and “green” for stop and go. And after they master this, then you can add other colors such as “yellow” for “slow.”
Improv Game: 3 Hands (Learning about body parts)
A fun and silly game. Let everyone walk leisurely around the room. When you shout '3 Hands’ the players must form little groups, each group consisting of 3 touching hands.
Use your imagination - say 4 feet, 2 knees, 9 fingers, 3 hips, 4 elbows, 3 heads, 7 left big toes, 4 little fingers. Repeat till everyone is giggling.
Improv Game: Honey Walk (Learning listening skills/creativity)
All actors walk in place. The audience calls out different things they must walk through or on (i.e. snow, ice, trampoline, mud, clouds, jello, honey…). They must act like they are walking through the different substances.
"Rock! Sword! Firecracker!"http://www.freedrama.net/firecracker.html
This script has a lot of flexibility for cast size and students can act out the Master's story. This can teach students to listen for directions from the Master and act out what is being said. Stronger readers can be given the bigger part (Master) and readers/speakers who struggle can have small parts where they feel successful.
