From Page to “Stage” : An Exploration of Creative Arts in Language Learning in Primary Education

Abstract

This master’s thesis explores how elements of creative arts (drama, music, visual arts, and dance) can be integrated as part of language teaching and learning in primary education. Conducted methodologically as arts-based research (ABR), and philosophically framed by new materialism and posthumanism, it presents an empirical project that took place in the afternoon drama club of a primary school in Finland. Two teachers/ master students/ performing artists taught a group of primary school students, integrating creative arts into the reading of the English book, The Witches, by Roald Dahl. With a focus on language and the educational process itself, diffractive analysis was performed on reflective journals, field notes, recordings of lessons, and material created by the students within the project. This exploratory study did not intend to measure linguistic performance; rather, the main positive outcomes found within the pedagogical practice were students' high engagement levels as well as increasing self- confidence and communication skills. The study stands on its own but is conducted within the Embodied Language Learning through the Arts (ELLA) research project (2021-2024), coordinated by the University of Arts Helsinki.