LEARNING ENGLISH THROUGH THEATRE
We are an English Language School specialized in children from 3 to 12 years old.
We use a completely practical and physical approach to language learning.
Children learn to speak and understand the language in an intuitive and amusing way.
Our primary objective is that children have fun whilst learning.
Our classes are motivating, entertaining and engage students from the second they step into the classroom.
In A Coruña since 2008 providing high quality language teaching and now also in Amsterdam!
THE METHOD
The method is based on the intuitive use of language. Students will progressively acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary for a natural and spontaneous communication appropriate to their levels.
100% of the class is oral. We use FLASH CARDS that are designed exclusively for us and a SONG per unit that is also created solely for theatrical. We use theatre games and theatrical techniques that strengthen other capabilities in children beyond language learning. All teachers are native English speakers.
We learn through practice: from games, songs, physical activity and theatre scenes. Combining voice and body. We put language into context. The theatre scene at the end of each class makes children use all the vocabulary used during the session in a specific context. We do the theatre scenes twice a week as it is through repetition that we remember and internalize learning.
The vocabulary and grammar are learned naturally, in a very direct and intuitive way.
We do not use books. We have material developed by theatrical and created exclusively for us that parents can download or listen to on our blog.
We do not do tests; we are not a conventional school. We do vocabulary revisions mid-year and at the end of the school year. We speak with each student individually to express how we see their progress and to listen to their opinion. There is an interaction and tracking of each student on a daily and continuous basis.
We do not give marks; we do a verbal assessment of the evolution of each student directly to parents. We are available to all parents in the mornings from Monday to Thursday throughout the school year.
We do not do a level test. We see no need to put the child in an uncomfortable situation. All students begin the school year with children of their own age and depending on their needs we reserve the right to change the student to a different group.
theatrical is a philosophy, a way of being, a way of respecting children and providing them a space that feels like their own. A space where they speak, sing, play, have fun and interact within a group: always in English, of course!
theatrical is also a method. Extensively studied and fine-tuned through practice for the past five years in La Coruña, Spain.
We work on thematically orientated units and all activities we do in each class are related to the topic that we are developing.
Depending on the age and level "target" vocabulary (Flash Cards) can be from 8 to 14 words per unit. Our intention is that this vocabulary is put into practice in everyday grammar, for children to use it without studying, simply through games, songs and theatre.
At more advanced levels "target" vocabulary is simply a pretext, a red line to centre all activities and lexicon around a certain topic.
English learning is supplemented by the main benefits of theatre in child development, that as the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) says are:
A notable increase in self-esteem
Respect for others
Social Relations
To control frustration
To increase discipline
Self-confidence to engage an audience
Responsible habits acquisition
To enhance values and norms of coexistence
Development of thought and internal dialogue
Sharpening of the senses
Stimulation of imagination and creativity
TEAM
Raquel Feliu
Creator and Director of theatrical
Raquel has lived between the U.S.A and Europe since childhood. She studied Drama at Rose Bruford College in the UK and has worked in educational theatre since she graduated in 2001.
She was an actress for the children's theatre company in English "Forum Theatre and Education" for two seasons acted in over four hundred performances throughout Spain.
After that she worked in Cristina Marsillach’s "The Acting Academy" in Madrid where she taught English through theatre to children and adults.
Whilst in Madrid she produced and represented four of her own theatre pieces for children and worked in various theatre projects.
In 2006, they accepted her solo piece "soledad.es" at the prestigious New York Fringe Festival, year in which she moved to the Big Apple.
She extended her stay in New York City for two years, where she worked as an actress and continued her research on the usefulness of theatre as an educational tool.
In 2008 she moved to La Coruña and theatrical opened its doors in the heart of the city. Several years after she moved to Amsterdam where she now resides and travels monthly to Spain in order to supervise the academy.
She has been teaching her own method since then and continues to do so, as it is only through practice that we learn!
Amanda Jones
Energetic, enthusiastic, full of bright light and a little wacky, this Brit is soo latin! Born and raised in England she started dancing and singing at an early age, her passion for performing arts grew and grew. She has worked in various places in and around Spain since 2006, as a singer, dancer and more recently children’s entertainer. Now, settled in La Coruña and mother to another wacky check monkey she has been part of this fun adventure since 2017.
Monica Rollings
Born and raised in Spain but from a Bristish family, she’s been lucky enough to grow up with both cultures. Has studied theatre and continues to study music professionally. She uses both tools in class and leaves kids astonished! Kind hearted, dynamic and always with a smile on her face, one of her many talents is building a friendship like relationship with her students.