1. Using Readers Theater to Improve Young Learners’ Speaking Skills
Presenter 1: Hoang Thi Quynh
Yen Bai centre for Foreign language and Informatics
address:
Presenter 2: Nguyen Tam Trang
Hanoi National University of Education and Training
address:

2. WORKSHOP OUTLINE Introduction Basic Procedures of Readers Theater
Some demo activities
Online Resources

3. 1. Introduction

4. What is Readers Theater ?

5. What is Readers Theater?
Readers Theater is a dramatic presentation of a written work in a script form. 
Readers read from a "script" and reading parts are divided among the readers.
No memorization, costumes, blocking, or special lighting is needed.

6. What is Readers Theater (RT)?
Presentations can easily be done in a classroom.
 Scripts are held by the readers.
Lines are not memorized.
The focus is on reading the text with expressive voices and gestures. 

7. Why use RT in the ESL/EFL Classroom?
RT requires students to:
Think about and explore all the components of text;
Engage in meaningful contexts;
Spend time with the text, rereading, discussing, and analyzing for a purpose.
story, author techniques, strategies, literary elements, character, sequence, and events

8. Why use RT in the ESL/EFL Classroom?
RT helps Ss:
Build confidence in reading, speaking, and presenting in public;
Develop poise;
Have a deeper understanding of text and reading strategies;

9. Why use RT in the ESL/EFL Classroom?
RT helps Ss:
Become more proficient and fluent readers;
Engage students in critical thinking, problem solving, and cooperative and collaborative learning.
Source : Marlene McKay, Story vines and Readers theatre: getting started (Portage& Main Press,2008)

10. RT to Oral skill
Figure 13: Benefits of readers theatre , from Marlene McKay, Story vines and Readers theatre: getting started ( Portage& Main Press,2008)

11. 2. Basic Procedure of RT Choose a script; Adapt the script;
Assign parts;  
Highlight parts and rehearse;  
Perform;
Feedback.

12. 1. Choose a script   
Choose a story or section of a book that is between 3-5 minutes long and photocopy it;
Ss read the story together, T helps with the vocabulary to make sure Ss understand the story;
Ss are put into groups, according to the number of character roles in the script. Each group member receives a copy.
picture books, short stories, parts of novels, poetry, folktales, works of nonfiction, and newspaper or magazine articles. You can also find collections of Readers Theater scripts online

13. 2. Adapt the script
Ss discuss in groups to identify speaking parts (including narrators) and break down the story into dialogue.

14. 3. Assign parts
In groups,  Kids might try out different parts to get a feel for them, then discuss and choose their roles themselves.  

15. 4. Highlight parts and rehearse
Kids highlight their dialogue, then practice their lines.

16. 5. Perform
Each group takes turn to read the play aloud for the audience in class

17. 6. Feedback Voice Eyes contact Fluency Action
Facilitate a class discussion with the students after each performance. Encourage the students to provide helpful feedback to the performers.
Needs improvement
Excellent work
Room to grow
Voice: did you speak clear and loudly enough so the audience can hear you? Did you speak to the audience or to the paper?
Eyes – contact : did you look at the audience when you were speaking ?
did the audience see your eyes?
Fluency: did you stumble over a lot of you words? Were you speak at a good pace
Action: did you use expression and get evolved with the story? Did you change your voice to fit the character
Voice
Eyes contact
Fluency
Action

18. 3. Some demo activities

19. 4. Online RT Resources Karen’s RT links:
The Best Class:
Aaron Shepherd’s RT site:
ReadersTheater.com: a commercial site with some great ideas that you can adapt on your own

20. WORKSHOP OUTLINE Introduction Basic Procedures of Readers Theater
Some demo activities
Online Resources

21. Thank you for PARTICIPATING!
Presenter 1: Hoang Thi Quynh
Yen Bai centrer for Foreign language and Informatics
address:
Presenter 2: Nguyen Tam Trang
Hanoi National University of Education and Training
address: