Acting skills for teachers...

(notes on previous post)

At university we have never been taught that acting, work with body and using props is so important for teachers. There were some modules on voice - we had rhetoric course, there were modules on social interaction with some theory on body language and we had drama. But it was all orientated on how to implement these knowledge into the lesson and make them more interesting and motivating. At least this was my perception of it...

So to come across a book advocating acting skill for teacher as a tool for classroom management is a great discovery for me. This book does not give you a ready to use recipe and of course this would not be possible. It rather compares the skills an actor needs with the skills a teacher needs to be effective. The first and most important are subject knowledge and enthusiasm.

But there it comes to voice, body language, classroom space, props, humor... I stresses the fact, that as a beginner, you probably cannot be 'yourself' in the classroom as you don't have 'the teacher' yourself yet. So you have to act and create the role.

This book is not the complete guide through the ways how to hone your skills, but is a great eyeopener and definitely makes me want to know more...

Can you direct me to some more publications or DVDs or materials on that topic?