Written by Ruth Schowalter, MS Applied Linguistics,
Certified InterPlay Leader, Art & Soul Creativity Coach
I’m excited.
I’m energized.
I’m sad.
I’m happy, happy, happy.
I’m confused…
…And so the expressions leapt out of the mouths of the 10
international students circled around me. We are on the Georgia Tech campus at
the Language Institute, where I’m teaching in an advanced elective class “Talk
More 2” using the improvisational system of InterPlay. I had asked each to give
a word or phrase along with an action that expressed what they were feeling at
the conclusion of our 65-minute class. Then our whole group repeated the words
and action.
“Noticing” what we are feeling is something we do in
InterPlay. Frequently, between our activities, we stop and “notice”; that is,
we reflect on what we are thinking and feeling both emotionally and physically
and express these “noticings” to a partner or the entire group. I might add
that students have options in articulating these reflections. They can remain silent; offer any words in
English describing their experience of themselves; their partner or entire
class; or speak in their native language or a made-up one. Making choices how
to participate is part of the InterPlay system—respecting the individual
student’s internal authority (the topic of a future blogpost).
Since the “noticings” or reflected expressions listed above
were done at the end of the class and students linger as they are wont to do
after connecting with each other during InterPlay activities, I was able to
catch a moment with the Korean student who had said, “I’m sad.” His response to
my question, “Are you okay?” resulted in an InterPlay gesture I taught in our very
first class. He took his hand to his forehead in the place between his eyebrows
and then flung it out in the air and said, “Wheee…”!
This “wheee…” gesture accompanied with his smile indicated
to me that he was okay. In fact, he was more than okay! He had succeeded in
contributing something to the group when it was his turn even when no
particular thought was in his mind. I teach the students that whatever they say
is “enough.”
InterPlay gives us permission to have a feeling or thought
without the need to “articulate” it. However, that is not to say that he may
have been experiencing some sadness, but he felt comfortable enough to say that
to our group and leave it at that. Words, ideas, feelings, and movements occur
when we are doing InterPlay activities and we don’t attach too much to them.
I also caught a moment with the Japanese student who had
stated that she was confused and asked her if she had more to say about that.
She did. Laughingly she asked, “The brain is different from the heart, right?
My thinking is fine. But what I feel is confused.” I nodded. We go over in each
class that as human beings we have a lot to check in with—our bodies, minds,
hearts, and spirits. I understood from what she said is that she now wanted to
process the feelings she experienced in class with her “brain.” In Japanese or
English? Both? Or Wheee...!
Wow! InterPlay has transformed the way I interact with my
students. I am now relating on two dimensions. I am still the educator guiding
the “student” through the class agenda with its conversational content and
activities. At the same time, I am creating a space for the “person” to be present to himself or herself,
their experience of the class, other participants, and the world at large.
Stay tuned for future discoveries in the ESL college classroom
here in Atlanta, Georgia!
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In this newly minted English-as-a-Second Language class, “Talk
More 2,” the students are phenomenal! They are ready to “play” with English
through movement, storytelling, and voice. It is fascinating to explore ways InterPlay
activities and principles can assist these international students in increasing
their American English fluency, comfort in American culture and beyond to a
global world.
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InterPlay provides a classroom platform for international
students to play around with using English to connect with themselves and their
classmates. These advanced ESL students elected to take this InterPlay class,
making them (in my mind) special adventurous individuals. They willingly agreed
to step into a class that was advertised as getting them out of their comfort
zone!
Talk More: Speaking English with
Confidence
Tuesdays and Thursdays (6 weeks)
1:25-2:30
Instructor: Ruth Schowalter
Do you want to feel more comfortable
speaking in English? In this class, you will have fun expressing yourself
orally while working in pairs, small and large groups, or alone. Using the
improvisational system of InterPlay, you are invited to speak without preparation
and to make things up. In addition to expanding your story telling abilities,
you will learn other ways to communicate with others using movement, voice, and
stillness. Whether you are shy or outgoing, you can learn how to succeed at
getting your message across more effectively and enjoy the process!
Be prepared to be amused, expand
your abilities, connect with others, find new ways of expressing yourself,
relax, and be re-energized. You will more than likely find yourself challenged
to stretch a little out of your comfort zone. It will be well worth it!
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