Nadie Papers No. 1 Drama, Language and Learning: Reports of the Drama and Language Research Project, Speech and Drama Center, Education Department of Tasmania

This study examines the effects of drama on the development of fifth and sixth grade children’s language, thinking, and learning. The researchers define drama as “being and doing within an imaginary situation” and focus on improvised drama activities that do not include the writing or use of scripts. The researchers examined transcribed recordings of language samples during drama sessions and found that children used expressive (i.e., less concrete or informational) language in drama, which aided their development of abstract thinking. Also, reflective discussions about the drama activities raised moral issues.