FROM PAGE TO STAGE: TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH STUDENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN PLAYWRITING, PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE

Abstract

English language teaching is both challenging and satisfactory, especially when combined with student-oriented approaches. The focus of the paper will be the experience with third year undergraduate students of University of Tirana, Faculty of Foreign Language, English Department, during their courses on British Studies and Translation Criticism. The paper is a qualitative research describing the way English language students were involved in playwriting, production and performance of a variety show in English called “Curtain Call” by the end of their academic year April-June 2022. The paper reinforces the importance of offering extracurricular activities to English language students to encourage their creativity, academic development, language proficiency, cooperative learning and team building. The paper also seeks to offer a positive perspective of students´ experience on the stage of National Experimental Theatre in Tirana, and their familiarity with backstage, forestage, light effects, music, stage design, stage directions, proxemics, prosody, speakability, breathability, and many other theatrical elements. From the English language and culture teaching-learning perspective, the research offers a series of findings and recommendations on the importance of applying all the acquired knowledge on British and American Studies and Translation teaching-learning process in front of English-speaking spectators who could test their successful language and culture attainment when performing live in English while taking the stage.

Keywords: English language teaching-learning process, language and culture acquisition and attainment, theatre stage, language proficiency, British and American culture.