FROM PAGE TO STAGE: TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH STUDENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN PLAYWRITING, PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE

Authors

  • Iris Klosi (Kokoli) University of Tirana. Faculty of Foreign Languages. English Department.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58885/ijllis.v12i7.40ik

Abstract

English language teaching is both challenging and satisfactory, especially when combined with student-oriented approaches. The focus of the paper will be the experience with third year undergraduate students of University of Tirana, Faculty of Foreign Language, English Department, during their courses on British Studies and Translation Criticism. The paper is a qualitative research describing the way English language students were involved in playwriting, production and performance of a variety show in English called “Curtain Call” by the end of their academic year April-June 2022. The paper reinforces the importance of offering extracurricular activities to English language students to encourage their creativity, academic development, language proficiency, cooperative learning and team building. The paper also seeks to offer a positive perspective of students´ experience on the stage of National Experimental Theatre in Tirana, and their familiarity with backstage, forestage, light effects, music, stage design, stage directions, proxemics, prosody, speakability, breathability, and many other theatrical elements. From the English language and culture teaching-learning perspective, the research offers a series of findings and recommendations on the importance of applying all the acquired knowledge on British and American Studies and Translation teaching-learning process in front of English-speaking spectators who could test their successful language and culture attainment when performing live in English while taking the stage.

Keywords: English language teaching-learning process, language and culture acquisition and attainment, theatre stage, language proficiency, British and American culture.

Author Biography

Iris Klosi (Kokoli), University of Tirana. Faculty of Foreign Languages. English Department.

Iris Klosi (Kokoli) is a full-time senior lecturer at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Foreign Languages, English Department since 2000. In 2003-2005 she contributed as a part-time lecturer of translation to the State University of Tetovo, North Macedonia. She graduated from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Foreign Languages, English Department in 2000 with a bachelor degree in British and American Studies with her thesis “Crime, Truth and Morality in Iris Murdoch´s Novels”. She graduated with a Master of ScienceDegree (MSc) in Applied Linguistics/Translation with her Thesis: “Translation Criticism Aspects of Arthur Miller´s Play “The Crucible” in Albanian”. She graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Applied Linguistics/Translation in 2012 with her dissertation “Aspects of Translation Criticism into Albanian and Stage Performance of Some British and American Plays” having on the focus Arthur Miller and George Bernard Shaw´s plays. She teaches courses of British Studies, Translation and Translation Criticism, Translation and Interpretation, Translation of Terminology, toboth bachelor and master students. She has participated in many trainings, research and Erasmus Plus teaching and staff mobility offered by the University of Westminster, London, UK, US Department of State, American Embassy, British Council, Albania, KodolányiJános University, Budapest Hungary, Debrecen University, Debrecen, Hungary, etc. She is a member of the editorial board of Freeside Europe Scientific Journal, Budapest Hungary since 2019. She has participated in more than thirty scientific national and international conferences. Many of her papers and articles have been published in Impact Factor and Scopus Indexed Journals. She has performed various literary translations. She is a certified official translator for the Ministry of Justice, Republic of Albania. She has been a member of organizing committeesin various national and international scientific conferences. In 2021 she was a member of the working group in drafting the Strategy of Internationalization to be implemented by the Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Tirana. On 4th April 2022 she won her Associate Professor Academic Title. In June 2022, she implemented the cultural project “Curtain Call”, a variety show drafted, developed and staged by her in close cooperation with her third year undergraduate students and the faculty support.

References

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Gao, Yang and Dowdy, Joanne: Using drama to engage English language learners in literacy activities. Ohio Reading Teacher, 44(1): 28-34. 2014.

Mehmedi, A., Iseni, A., & Hoxhaj, A. (2022). USING JD SALINGER’S THE CATCHER IN THE RYE IN THE CLASSROOM. ANGLISTICUM. Journal of the Association-Institute for English Language and American Studies, 11(9), 25-35.

Mikeli-Vata, R., & Iseni, A. (2022). Folklore And the Fantastic Element as A Form of Intertext in The Folktales of Mitrush Kuteli. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 7662-7668.

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Zafeiriadou, Nelly: Drama in Language Teaching: A Challenge for Creative Development. Issues, 23, 4-9. 2009.

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Published

2023-07-02

How to Cite

(Kokoli), I. K. (2023). FROM PAGE TO STAGE: TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH STUDENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN PLAYWRITING, PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE. ANGLISTICUM. Journal of the Association-Institute for English Language and American Studies, 12(7), pp.40–48. https://doi.org/10.58885/ijllis.v12i7.40ik

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 7 (2023): Volume 12, No.7, July 2023

Section

Volume 12, No.7, July 2023

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