Associate Professor, Department Of English, Malla Reddy Engineering College (Autonomous), Secunderabad, Telangana,India.
Abstract
In the ESL learning context, the main focus is on writing and reading skills ignoring the other language skills such as speaking and listening. The learning language can be obstructed by different factors such as due to shyness, lack of confidence and stage fright and so on so forth. The present paper attempts to explore the students’ perceptions and views of using drama in the classroom to improve speaking skills at the undergraduate level. The sample comprises of 60 professional students who are studying in a professional college, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The students’ questionnaires are used as a research tool for collecting data from the target group. Then, the collected data was analyzed and interpreted to answer the research questions and to prove the research hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that the students’ oral skills had improved significantly when the drama is used in language instruction among the learners. Students also expressed that when drama techniques are incorporated for teaching speaking skills in the classroom, it boosted students’ self-confidence and overcame their stage fright. In conclusion, it was found that the use of drama aided to develop students’ speaking skills.
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