Using Acting and Skits in the ESL Classroom

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Using Skits in the ESL Classroom

Written by Robert Vance on September 22, 2008 – 3:48 pm

The best ESL class that I ever taught in China involved a series of skits that I did for students which ranged in age from six to sixteen. I used the ESL skits to teach a lesson about good manners and the students as well as the teachers loved every minute of it. Here is what I did:

Skit #1 – Using a broom, I pretended to be a little boy doing his weekly chores. At first, I acted as if I had a bad attitude by frowning and complaining loudly about having to do this ’stupid’ work. At one point, I even threw the broom down. Later, I repeated my actions this time whistling and smiling and doing a much more thorough job. After the skit, I asked my students which act they though showed good manners and a good attitude. We then discussed the value of having helping parents around the house.

Skit #2 — This time, I pretended to be a little boy who was eating dinner. I chewed loudly and opened my mouth widely all the while stuffing my ‘face’ with food. I put my elbows on the table and allowed food to drop on my shirt as I ate. I made all kinds of rude noises; the students roared with laughter. Later, I repeated the skit but this time I ate slowly and chewed quietly with my mouth closed. After the acts, I talked with my students about the importance of dinner table manners.

Skit #3 — For the last ESL skit, I sat down in the midst of my students at one of their desks and had another student pretend to be the teacher. I told my students that I was also a student just like them. While the ‘teacher’ taught, I reached into another boy’s desk and started punching him (lightly) in the shoulder. Again, my students roared with laughter as this happened. Later, I repeated the skit and sat quietly paying close attention to the teacher.

I performed these skits in 26 classes and they were hits every time. For the first time ever, I was able to make a fool out of myself and really enjoy doing it. I let my inhibitions go and found that not only did my students enjoy the class but I really enjoyed teaching as well. Through exaggerated actions and noises, I was able to get my message across to the students; they were talking about my skits for weeks afterwards.

You have to ‘forget about yourself’ sometimes in order to have an effective ESL class. The more that you can ‘get into’ what you are doing the more enthusiastic your ESL students will be about participating or at the least, paying attention. Students of all ages love to see their teachers act and sing; it makes the classroom environment much more lighthearted.

Feel free to use the above skits in your ESL classrooms. Leave us a comment and let us know how it goes!

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