Emotional Choral Reading

Emotional Choral Reading takes a typical language learning activity such as reading a dialogue as a group and gives it a nice twist to enliven it by adding emotion.

Preparation

None necessary

Procedure

1. Select a dialogue from the textbook or a reading, or write one. 2. Have learners practice reading as a group as is. 3. Have learners reread the dialogue as you cue different emotions, so learners change their voice to match as they are reading.

Variations

1. Give different emotions to different characters in the dialogue. 2. Have some learners read the dialogue as one emotion (or mixed) and the others guess the emotion. 3. Have learners do the dialogue in smaller groups to reduce affective filter and allow all to practice at the same time.

Example Emotions

Anger Annoyance Disgust Irritation Doubt Envy Frustration Guilt Shame Anxiety Embarrassment Fear Worry Bored Hurt Sadness Shock Delight Joy Courage Calm Relief Interest Surprise

When to Use It

• To make a routine dialogue or sentence drill more engaging • To provide alternate ways of practicing speaking

Level

Skills

Practice

Materials

Emotion cards optional

Preparation Time

None

Activity Time

15–35 minutes, depending on groups presenting