Research on the Application of Drama in Education in College English Teaching Approach

Given the complexity and importance of English language teaching and learning, this research firstly points out current dilemmas of English teaching and learning in Chinese colleges. It then introduces the teaching principles and strategies of Drama in Education (DIE) and argues that DIE serves as a good strategy to integrate the four language skills in an English classroom and to benefit English instructors and language learners. To prove the value of DIE, it presents an action study conducted in the researcher’s college. The participants of this action research are the researcher’s students of the 1st and 2nd grades in college. The research findings show that dramatic activities help students get involved in a real dialogical situation and communicate with others. Besides, it is found that students’ learning motives, language proficiencies, and creativity further improve English teaching and learning.