> speech & drama j.v. with education ventures sdn bhd
+ brief summary
We are currently in the final half of our second year of the Speech & Drama course joint venture with Education Ventures Sdn Bhd ("ev"), in line with our vision that the arts can be a useful and effective supplement to the local education system. current enrolment is more than 70 students from ev's two private secondary schools combined.
We are currently also in discussions with several other parties towards similar projects; and are more than happy to welcome similar joint venture proposals from interested organisations, corporations and education institutions of all levels.
> project components, objectives & benefits
+ Poetry
Poetry develops the emotional, aesthetic and ethical side of students, leading to an appreciation of literary value. The reading of poetry assists in the cultivation of clear, deliberate articulation and pleasant speech habits and forms an important link in mental development with reading and literary appreciation. our programme includes a range of poems in different styles with emphasis on the enjoyment of poetry.
+ Choral Speaking
Choral Speaking is disciplined speech, subject to the restraints of time, volume, etc - interpreted unanimously. It requires imagination to interpret, a sense of rhythm and a feeling for drama and emphasis will be on enunciation and enjoyment in participation. In the younger age groups, emphasis will be on form and rhythm - with emotional appeal. Older students will also have poetry that has a higher appeal to the intellect.
+ Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the oldest arts. its instrument is the human voice and requires breath control and resonance, projection to the audience and good articulation. Vocal variation and flexibility are cultivated through phrasing, pausing, stressing, emphasis, tone, pitch, volume, pace and rhythm.
+ Speaking
Students learn best through interaction, of which a crucial part is talking - to express their thoughts clearly, to justify their statements, to argue, to clarify their ideas, to be more selective in the vocabulary they use. Informal, non-threatening situations encourage them to participate, using their oral language and thereby improving it. As students progress, certain oral language experiences can become more formal in nature, placing greater demands on the student's ability to think before speaking, and listening with greater concentration and thoughtfulness.
+ Drama
Drama opens eyes and alerts minds as students gain control over their physical movements and extend their linguistic facility. From the printed word stems a reality and imaginative literature is given a new dimension. Observation is developed initially through mime when students are encouraged to perform everyday activities and discuss how they can be done realistically without the object support. This will lead into occupational mime followed by developing reactions and becoming aware of mood. Awareness of character to develop full and effective characterization to sustain a role may lead to the final stage of performing small performances and by derivation, the development of basic skills of acting and confidence to perform before an audience.
+ Speech Training
the main features of good speech - voice production, pronunciation, enunciation, vocabulary and grammar - are emphasized through other activities and brought into focus with the central aim of speech - to communicate effectively with others. Students are encouraged to be correct and effective interpreters and for this to carryover into everyday speaking.
