Only the Best Intentions: A modern romance between a guy, a girl, and a game (Drama and Plays for Students)

2018 Runner-up for English-Language Award from the English-Speaking Union Only the Best Intentions is an English language textbook that teaches spoken communication skills through the performance of a one-act play. Whether it’s reader’s theater, an in-class performance, or a full production, putting on a play is the ultimate group project. And drama is a powerful tool for learning spoken communication skills! Students take on acting skills like using body language, gesture, intonation, and other non-verbal cues to communicate better. They are exposed to natural language in a realistic setting. And they get super engaged! A range of activities prepare students to perform, including: Background readings on topics raised by the play: the history of competitive video games, the life of professional video game players, and managing modern life with screens. An original one-act play written for ELLs about a young woman who breaks off her engagement when she finds out her fiance wants to be a professional video game player. But what’s more important? Family, stability, keeping promises, or helping someone follow their dreams? Pragmatics lesson on raising problems and resolving conflicts Pronunciation activities, including sentence stress to show contrast and practice linking sounds. Scaffolding to prepare students to produce a play including Lessons on attentive listening Guided questions to analyze the play Ideas for auditioning, learning a part, and marking scripts for emotional content to improve line readings. Tips for staging a play Post-Performance Activities, including a talkback, a mini-debate, writing a new scene or even a sequel or mining the play for useful language An optional assignment to interview families about screen time Assessment rubrics and an answer key Your students will look forward to class with this innovative resource that utilizes drama in language teaching! Praise for the Integrated Skills Through Drama Series Drama in the performance of texts is one of the most compelling of language learning resources…This book offers a wealth of preparatory activities, suggestions for varied ways of using the text and helpful suggestions for follow-up. — Alan Maley, teacher, trainer, founder of The C Group, and author of Drama Techniques I can say without hesitation that teachers and students will find the series Integrated Skills through Drama, of which this book forms part, a treasure trove of teaching ideas, covering areas like pronunciation, grammar, pragmatics, discussion themes and a host of suggested activities, all built around a short play. –Charlyn Wessels Dyers, Author of Drama in the Oxford Resource Series for Teachers