Author(s)

Zhiyi Chen ¹, You Chen ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ College of Foreign Studies, Guangdong University of Science and Technology, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523083, China

Corresponding Author

You Chen

ABSTRACT

This study examines the application of the drama teaching method in junior high school English reading instruction, with a particular focus on its impact on student engagement, reading comprehension, and language output. The study employed a qualitative research design, using literature analysis and in-depth interviews with four teachers and eight students in a junior high school to explore their experiences with drama-based activities. The findings suggest that drama activities significantly enhance student participation, making learning more interactive and enjoyable. Students reported a deeper understanding of the texts, particularly through the use of role-playing, which helped them analyze characters' motivations and gain insights into narrative structures. Moreover, drama activities were found to improve oral proficiency, especially through improvisation, as students were encouraged to engage in spontaneous language use. The study also revealed that the collaborative nature of drama fosters higher-order thinking and increases students' confidence in using English. However, the study also highlighted challenges such as time constraints and the need for professional development for teachers. Despite these challenges, the research provides empirical support for the integration of drama-based methods in junior high school English reading instruction and manifests that such methods can significantly enhance both student motivation and language skills. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research, including the exploration of the long-term impacts of drama on language development and strategies to overcome implementation challenges in diverse educational contexts.

KEYWORDS

Drama Teaching Method; English Reading Instruction; Student Engagement; Language Output; Reading Comprehension

CITE THIS PAPER

Zhiyi Chen, You Chen, Research on the Application of Drama Teaching Method in Junior High School English Reading Instruction. Curriculum and Teaching Methodology (2025) Vol. 8: 70-82. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/curtm.2025.080411.

REFERENCES

[1] Punsiri, B. (2011). The effectiveness of drama techniques on foreign language classroom anxiety reduction of Thai EFL students, Doctoral dissertation, Srinakharinwirot University.
[2] Hasan, M. Z., Kamil, A. A., Mustafa, A., & Baten, M. A. (2013). Analyzing and estimating portfolio performance of Bangladesh stock market. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 10 (2), 139-146.
[3] Yuanyuan, C. (2019). Enhancing EFL students’ English competency through drama: A case study in a primary school in China. English Language Teaching, 12 (7), 68-74.
[4] Du, J., Hao, Z., Wang, B., Wang, X., & Wang, Z. (2024). The Aesthetic Function of Educational Drama Practice in English Teaching. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 190, p. 01001). EDP Sciences.
[5] Kao, S. M., & O’Neill, C. (1998). Words into worlds: Learning a second language through process drama. Praeger. 
[6] Vygotsky, L. S., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: Development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
[7] Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge university press.
[8] Savignon, S. J. (1987). Communicative language teaching. Theory into Practice, 26 (4), 235-242.
[9] Winston J. (2012). Second language learning through drama. Routledge.
[10] Bundy, P. (2003). Aesthetic engagement in the drama process. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 8 (2), 171-181.
[11] Rothwell J. (2011). Bodies and language: Process drama and intercultural language learning in a beginner language classroom [J]. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 16 (04): 575-594.
[12] Stinson, M., & Piazzoli, E. (2013). Drama for additional language learning: Dramatic contexts and pedagogical possibilities. How Drama Activates Learning: Contemporary Research and Practice, 208-225.
[13] Wang Qian (2024). Experimental study on the application of drama teaching method in junior high school English literature reading teaching, Master's Thesis, Guangzhou University.
[14] Xiong Guan (2022). Experimental study on the application of drama teaching method in high school English teaching, Master's Thesis, Hunan University.
[15] Dong Yao (2024). Research on the application of drama teaching method in junior high school English teaching, Master's Thesis, Northeast Petroleum University.
[16] Niu Xiaoping (2024). The application of drama teaching method in English reading teaching. In Soul building education and integration innovation: Proceedings of the symposium on ideological and political education, building, and cultural and artistic education (pp: 84-86), Chinese Popular Literature and Art Research Association.  
[17] Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple intelligences: The theory in practice. Basic book.
[18] Liu Zhongyuan (2020). Research on the application of drama teaching method in junior high school English teaching, Master's Thesis, Yunnan Normal University.
[19] Yue Xiaoxiao (2022). Research on the application of drama teaching method in rural junior high school English oral teaching, Master's Thesis, Liaocheng University.
[20] Koyuncu, İ., & Fırat, T. (2020). Investigating reading literacy in PISA 2018 assessment. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 13 (2), 263-275.
[21] Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12 (3), 297-298.
[22] Chen Xin. (2025). The practice of drama teaching method in high school English reading teaching. Middle School Curriculum Tutoring, 42 (6): 30-32.
[23] Lu Yawen. (2023). Research on the current situation of English oral ability of junior high school students, Master's Thesis, China Three Gorges University. 

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology
  
  
• Transactions on Comparative Education
  
  
• Applied & Educational Psychology
  
  
• Advances in Vocational and Technical Education
  
  
• Adult and Higher Education