Butoh inspired language and dance work

Took part in a wonderful and inspiring Butoh workshop yesterday led by Marie-Gabrielle Rotie. Most of the creative tasks we explored can be used in language and dance sessions to practise language skills such as body parts vocabulary, instruction language, descriptive language & imagery, whilst creating more thoughtful and imaginative movement at the same time.

http://www.butohuk.com/

moving words in practice!

Just had a good ESOL & Dance session - gave students the word 'summer' & asked them to write down any words that came to mind. In pairs, they took turns to read out words while partner spontaneously interpreted the words through movement. They then chose 3 of their partner's movements they liked & put them all together to create a short sequence. I asked them to develop further by adding 2 moments of contact. They performed to music ('Latifa's Theme' from Slumdog Millionaire) & the outcome was quite touching!

An article about Dr James Asher's Total Physical Response method of teaching language.
I think using creative movement and dance to teach language opens up more language possibilities and has the advantage of also engaging emotions.

http://adulted.about.com/od/esl/a/asherstpr.htm

An interesting short article on teaching Spanish through dance:

http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/37058.aspx

This is a really good rationale for using movement and dance to teach language:

http://www.wellnesscke.net/downloadables/LanguageDevelopmentthroughMovementGamesandDance.ppt

Good to see that Chisenhale is still promoting the project that Etta Ermini and I developed.

http://www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk/newsletter/community
Sorry the link doesn't got straight to the entry on Moving Words; you have to scroll down the page.

I just want to say that this isn't my blog, but what a shame that Cerrin stopped writing it because it looks very interesting.

http://movingwords-cerrin.blogspot.com/