The effects of theatrical approaches on the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language

Abstract

Throughout the years, a decline in learning French as a foreign language has been observed in Malta. The aim of this study is to explore the effects that the physical body, through the use of theatrical techniques, can have on the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language. Through a narrative literature review, the objective of this study is to educate and inform interested readers about the way language education can be impacted by the use of theatrical approaches in the classroom. The study also explores the social context of modern language education by providing insight into the historical and socio-political context of Western education focusing on the mental processes of learning. It argues that since theatre makes use of the physical body, it revives the need to associate the body and mind for better cognition, which can be applied, in this case, to language education.