AGIS Conference 2024 Potsdam

Besides being extremely fun, Improv Comedy games reveal (and revel in) the playfulness of the English language and is a rich application of the Communicative Approach to language learning. Improvisational comedy games and role-plays are rooted in cooperative interplay, inventive story-telling, group-mind collaboration, extreme listening, character-work, dialogue development and the willingness to take risks, to accept failure and to connect to our sense of humor. Games commonly played in improv comedy workshops and shows (such as 'Whose Line is it, Anyways?') have been re-tooled to the language learning experience and will focus on grammar points, vocabulary building, politeness and different language skills such as meetings and presentations. Naturally, Comedy Improv techniques will also be introduced, so participants can enjoy the thrill of Applied Improv Theory: in other words, you will laugh and learn at the same time. These exercises are cross-disciplinary, and can be applied to many other subjects as well. This approach will give teachers some fresh options to offer students. This workshop gives credence to the concept that creative play CAN be combined with learning: a true School of Fun. The final hour will be spent 'performing' these games for each other for fun and laughter.

Extra: Brian Kapell has been performing, directing, producing and teaching improv comedy and theater for 39 years and is one of the founders of short-form improv comedy. He is a founding member of the performing groups ComedyShorts, and has built and operated comedy clubs in the USA and Germany. Brian has always applied improvisational exercises into his teaching, including during his 12 years working with deaf communities all over the USA. He currently teaches Secondary Drama, directs school musicals and teaches Sign Language after school at Berlin International School.

Participants will learn a selection of improvisational comedy games that are embedded with a feature of English language learning. Everyone learns the basics of comedy improvisation techniques which will provide the groundwork for collaborative, group-mind storytelling. Teachers will be able to take these games into the classroom to create more interactive, playful English language learning sessions that thrive on creative communication. The laughter will prove that we can bring the fun into the learning process. Participants will experience the funnest language learning lesson ever.