Is EFL Worth Studying at Japanese Colleges? Readers Theatre Provides an Answer

Abstract

This paper discusses issues, insights, and considerations concerning Readers Theatre and its applications to Japanese EFL classrooms based on the author’s experiences in taking part in a Readers Theatre (RT) workshop. Although RT is of great use when teaching Japanese college students, the application of its techniques should be introduced within the framework of the EFL settings where almost all of the directors, performers, and audience consist of Japanese speakers who study English as a foreign language, not as a first or a second language. Elements related to the students’ social growth such as cooperation, responsibility, and sense of fulfillment should be considered more when RT is taught in college EFL classroom settings.