THE IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL DRAMA

ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Thesis

 

Presented to

 

The Faculty of the Department of Television, Radio, Film, and Theatre

 

San Jose State University

 

 

 

 

In Partial Fulfillment

 

Of the Requirements for the Degree

 

Master of Arts

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

Kathie R. Kratochvil

 

August 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

THE IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL DRAMA

ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

 

By Kathie R. Kratochvil

 

This thesis examines Educational Drama as a strategy for advancing Language Arts learning, with a focus on English language learners in California. Prior research in the field indicates some causal links associated with drama activities but indicates weaknesses in the research. The major weaknesses include flaws in research design, particularly in choosing comparison groups and research instruments; a limited number of empirical studies; a lack of replication of studies; and the need to define what constitutes drama activities and language activities.

            The context for the thesis is set by examining the issues facing English language learners in California. The literature review outlines and identifies the research field’s weaknesses and strengths. Five meta-analysis studies that attempt to show causal links between Educational Drama and Language Arts conducted between 1983 and 2002 are examined to further define the weaknesses. Once defined, these weaknesses are addressed to suggest improvements in future research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

CHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM                                              1

            Statement of the Problem

            Methodology

            An Overview of the Problems Facing English Language Learners

            The Effects of the National No Child Left Behind Act

            The Arts and Language Learning

 

CHAPTER 2: THE IMPACT OF THE ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS 13

            What the Research Shows

            Narrowing the Field: Drama and Language Learning

 

CHAPTER 3: DEFINING EDUCATIONAL DRAMA AND LANGUAGE      

LEARNING                                                                                                               3 3
            What is Educational Drama?

            In What Ways does Educational Drama Support a Student’s Social,

            Physical, Emotional, Language and Cognitive Development?

            What is English Language Learning?

            How is a First Language Acquired?

            Is Second Language Acquired in the Same Ways as a First Language?

            Approaches to Second Language Learning in California

            A Possible Construct for Future Research Purposes

 

CHAPTER 4: AN EXPLORATION OF THE PROBLEMATIC AREAS                       
RELATED TO RESEARCH DESIGN IN RELATING EDUCATIONAL
DRAMA AND LANGUAGE ARTS                                                                       63
            Research Methodologies

            Experimental Designs

            Qualitative Designs

            Variables to be Considered for Studies

            Who is Conducting Drama Treatments in Studies?

            Analysis and Reporting of Data

 

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS                                                                               76

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY                                                                                                      80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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