Using the Space: Details of a Summer Acting Program for Japanese High School Students

Theatre has potential as a form of experiential learning, and language learning in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts could be ideal contexts for extensive language practice through such an approach given the lack of opportunity many students have to use the language meaningfully outside of class. The current study introduces a summer program designed by the author for members of a Japanese high school’s English club. I discuss the schedule and details of the various parts of this program, then briefly review data from student reflection surveys about the overall experience. The program set out to give the students a novel and performative approach to English, and findings from the surveys suggest that the experience was transformative and broadened their understanding of non-verbal communication.