The Review of Literature for Research Using Readers Theater as Pedagogy for Elementary English Remedial Teaching by Charlie

Introduction The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan will begin the implementation of “12-Year Compulsory Education” program by the year of 2014. The Ministry of Education has carried out an extensive remedial education program, the “After School Alternative Program (ASAP)” since 2006.

Introduction 3. The researcher has been an English teacher for years, and observed the phenomenon more closely when he started teaching at a very small and rural elementary school in Tainan City. 4. To advance the low-achievement students’ interest in learning English.

Research Questions 1. Does the use of Readers Theater increase low-achievement 5th graders' motivation in learning English? 2. Does the use of Readers Theater enhance low-achievement 5th graders' listening comprehension? 3. Does the use of Readers Theater facilitate low-achievement 5th graders' reading fluency?

The Literature Review of Readers Theater The Introduction of Readers Theater The Application of RT in English Classes The use of RT studies on the fifth graders in elementary schools in Taiwan.

The Introduction of Readers Theater In the 1960s, a new form of theater which used a narrator as the principal storyteller and performed by readers with emphasis to facial and gestural expressions instead of exaggerated body movements (Chang, 2005). In the 1970s, many college graduates working as English teachers started using the RT approach as a teaching activity in high schools and elementary schools (Chang, 2005).

The Introduction of Readers Theater Corcoran and Davis (2005) suggest that RT is a form of drama minus the sets, props, and costumes. Walker (2005) further defines RT as literature-based oral reading which readers take turns reading lines of the scripts aloud openly with interpretive and expressive intonation to their audience rather than through acting.

The Application of RT in English Classes RT provides opportunities for students to read literary works, develops better speaking skills, and participates in self-expressive activities when performing in front of the audience (Codger & White, 1967). According to Carrick (2006), Reader’s Theater is a highly motivational reading strategy that provides a context for purposeful reading.

The use of RT studies on the fifth graders in elementary schools in Taiwan. Participants improved their accuracy, speed, intrinsic motivation, and the social aspects of motivation (Chen, J. H., 2006). 2. Gender did not play a role in the RT task. Both boys and girls have significant improvement in their oral reading and higher motivation to learn English (Liu, Y.Y., 2008).

The use of RT studies on the fifth graders in elementary schools in Taiwan. 3. Curriculum-Based Reader’s Theater (CBRT) motivates students for oral reading and engages them in English learning (Chen, S. T., 2009).

Conclusion 1.Interesting scripts can motivate students to read. 2.Reading aloud can provide students with fluent reading. 3.Sufficient repetition of reading can give students oral support in reading.

Conclusion 4.Rehearsals can offer support for group reading practice. 5.Performance can give students a real reason to read.

References Carrick, L. U. (2006). Internet resources for conducting Readers Theatre. Reading Online. Retrieved September 19, 2013, from http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_ index.asp? HREF=carrick/index.html Chang, W.-L.〔張文龍〕. (2005)。The birth and development of Readers Theater. 〔讀者劇場的誕生與發展〕.English Works 〔英文工廠〕,21,38-48

References Chen, S. T. (2009). Action research on Curriculum-based Readers Theater in the fifth grade EFL classroom (Master’s thesis). National Chiayi University: Chiayi. Corcoran, C.A. & Davis, A. D. (2005). A study of the effects of Readers Theater on second and third grade special education students’ fluency growth. Reading Improvement, 42(2), 105-111.

References Chen, S. T. (2009). Action research on Curriculum-based Readers Theater in the fifth grade EFL classroom (Master’s thesis). National Chiayi University: Chiayi. Corcoran, C.A. & Davis, A. D. (2005). A study of the effects of Readers Theater on second and third grade special education students’ fluency growth. Reading Improvement, 42(2), 105-111.

References Ministry of Education (2013). 12-Year Compulsory Education. Retrieved December 08, 2013, from http://12basic.tchcvs.tc.edu.tw/index.php Walker, Lois. (2005). Readers Theater in the Classroom. East & West Book Co., Ltd.