Speech and Drama Arts
Wishing that your child would just speak up a bit more? Or that he or she would be more confident about themselves? We want to help your child to develop communication, language and social-emotional skills through highly interactive and engaging drama activities. We want to provide our students with active learning experiences to empower them to express ideas and thoughts without inhibition.
How does drama help students with their social-emotional skills? Click here to read more!
Our Approach
Using drama activities, students have the opportunity to enhance their persuasiveness and confidence in communication. Students are given the freedom to express themselves freely, using their imagination and creativity. Other vital communication skills that are fostered in the class setting includes listening and concentration. Activities ranging from role-playing to stage performances require students to understand the fundamentals of stage directions, character dialogues, music and light cues. Orton-Gillingham Principles are incorporated in our lessons to ensure quality and effectiveness.
To register for the Speech and Drama Arts Programme, please click here.
The programme caters to different age group
- Creative Drama (K2 - Primary 3)
- Literacy Through Drama Programme (Primary 4 - Primary 6)
- Educational Drama (Secondary 1 - Secondary 2)
Recommended for
The Speech and Drama Arts Programme is recommended to students who want to explore the learning of the English language through drama skills and aspire to be confident communicators who are great team players and able to think creatively.
Entry Criteria
- K2, all primary and lower secondary school students
- No formal diagnosis of dyslexia is required
- Open to non-DAS students
Research
Hamzah, M. (2019). An evaluation of the effectiveness of using drama as a tool to build social‐emotional development of children with dyslexia in Singapore. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences, 6 (1), 124 -147.
Read the article here
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Specialised Educational Services (SES) is a division of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. SES programmes are tailored to fit the learning needs of students with a learning difference. SES Programmes are NOT funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the MOE only supply a grant for the DAS Main Literacy Programme (MLP). |
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COMPREHENSION Drama Activities can add an element of fun to reading comprehension. With drama activities, it provides an opportunity for students to engage with text in an interactive manner. By doing this, it helps to develops students’ comprehension skills in a fun and non-pressurising manner. In this article, we explore three drama activities that you can try out with your child or student! View the article here! |
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DRAMA, A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN. Most people do not associate drama with learning. This subject has the reputation of being fun and loud, which might seem counter-productive to some. However, a deeper look uncovers its ability to enhance speaking, listening, comprehension and critical thinking skills. In this article, we explore how learning drama can contribute positively to an individual academically and personally. View the article here! |
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| IMPROV TO IMPROVE By Amrit Kaur Gill
Improvisation provides the opportunity for an individual to develop one’s self on various levels. With improv exercises and engaging activities, individuals will be taught to think and react on the spot. This will help the individual to learn how to cope with uncertainties. Find out how improv helps with learning! View the article here! |
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MAKING THE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS WITH DRAMA Being able to manage one’s emotions and navigate social interactions are essential skills for all children. An argument can be made that children with dyslexia require these skills even more. Drama is an excellent tool to introduce and sustain social-emotional competencies. As an art form, it is greatly associated with human interaction. View the article here! |
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TWEENS AND TEENS - THE FRUSTRATION IS REAL! Tweens and teens are at the stage where they are overly consumed by the changes in their bodies and the social world. What can parents do to help their tweens and teens? View the article here! |
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The Effectiveness of using Drama as a Tool to build Social-Emotional Development of Children with Dyslexia in Singapore This study explores the efficacy of a speech and drama programme in developing social-emotional literacy of children with dyslexia. View on YouTube here! |
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Dyslexia and Drama in Education This recording is a presentation from UNITE SpLD conference in 2016. View on YouTube here! |
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HELP! I AM TEACHING DRAMA ONLINE! Being a drama instructor in Speech & Drama Arts (SDA) programme, it didn’t occur to me that one day I will teach drama online. A typical drama class would involve a lot of movement activities, role-playing with friends, voice exercises and rehearsals after rehearsals in a big space. “How to teach drama online?” And a lot more questions ran in my head. View the article here! |
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HOW CAN SPEECH AND DRAMA CLASS HELP MY CHILD? Contrary to popular parents’ perception, a speech and drama class is more than just role-playing and acting. It nurtures imagination and creativity in a way that it cannot be learned but through experience. Speech and drama classes like the one offered in DAS can be that powerful tool to help children, especially those with learning differences. Let us explore some of the ways a speech & drama class can help your child. View the article here! |
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Speech and Drama Arts Trial Class is open for registration
Trial Class Details - Registerations for Term 4 now open!
To register for the September classes, click here.
| Trial Class Intake - Term 4 (OPEN) |
Date: 17 Sept 2023, Sunday Venue: Bishan Learning Centre Level: P4 to P6 |
| Trial Class Intake - Term 4 (OPEN) |
Date: 17 Sept 2023, Sunday Venue: Bishan Learning Centre Level: P1 to P3 |
Registration for Speech and Drama Arts Classes and Trial Classes are open now!
Bursary is available for these classes, T&Cs apply. Click here for more info
The programme consists of different modules catering to different age groups:
- Creative Drama Programme
- Literacy through Drama Programme
- Educational Drama
To register, please call 6444 5700 or email info@das.org.sg
| Creative Drama (K2 to Lower Primary) |
Bishan Learning Centre |
Saturdays, 10.30 am to 12 pm |
| Literacy Through Drama (Primary 4 - 6) |
Bedok Learning Centre Bishan Learning Centre |
Saturdays, 10 am to 11.30 am Saturdays, 2 pm to 3.30 pm Saturdays, 3 pm to 4.30 pm Sundays, 1 pm to 2.30 pm |
| Educational Drama (Secondary 1 - 2) |
Bishan Learning Centre |
Saturdays, 1 pm to 2.30pm |
** Class subject to availability
** Social distancing measures are put in place to ensure safety of all students
SES Speech and Drama Arts Programme
The Speech and Drama Arts programme provides children with SpLDs a safe platform to learn to express themselves, experience teamwork and develop their confidence. Understanding the background and characteristics of these students has allowed us to develop a programme that would enhance their learning journey and discover their potential.
Our Approach:
The aim of the SES Speech and Drama Arts Programme is to develop literacy, communication and presentation skills and boost the self-esteem of learners with dyslexia. Drama can be a powerful tool to help students with learning differences to experience language learning in a fun way.
Drama Workshops for Schools:
At the DAS, we conduct SES Speech and Drama workshops for students both in primary and secondary schools. Our school workshops are customised to meet the demands of our clients, in order to achieve the school’s desired objectives and outcomes.
Our Instructors:
- Trained educational therapists to support students
with dyslexia. - Trained in teaching Speech and Drama classes
- MOE registered instructors
Drama & Learning:
Most people do not associate drama with learning.
A deeper look uncovers its ability to enhance speaking, listening, comprehension and critical thinking skills. In the various articles in the link below, one can explore how learning drama can contribute positively to an individual academically and personally. Click on the link to read more about it!
Gallery
Check out our gallery page to catch our SES
Speech and Drama Arts students in action!
Contact Us:
For general enquiries and to find out more about Speech & Drama Arts workshop in your school, please contact :
Anaberta Oehlers-Jaen
Email: anaberta@das.org.sg
Bubble Wrap Princess
An adaptation from Debra A. Cole's play Performed by DAS Speech and Drama Arts students DAS Student Graduation and Achievement Awards 2021
I Wish For A Better Tomorrow
Performed from home by DAS Speech and Drama Arts students from Bishan.
Grasshopper and the Ants
Performed from home by DAS Speech and Drama Arts students from Bishan.
SDA PRODUCTION 2017
Journey of the Legends is a theatrical production featuring myths and epics from the Malay, Indian and Chinese culture. Students from the DAS Speech and Drama Arts programme have worked hard to portray characters from these stories, such memorising scripts and bringing the characters to life.
Check out our Facebook page for photos of the production!
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TESTIMONIAL FOR MS MUZDALIFAH "Dear Miss Muzdalifah , I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication and hard work in teaching DAS CLASS Drama and Speech. Your commitment to ensuring that each and every student in the class receives a quality education is truly inspiring." Read the full testimonial here. |
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SDA PERFORMANCE AT SGAA 2022
On 26 November 2022, SDA students from both Bishan and Bedok Learning Centre presented an original piece - Castaway, at the DAS Student Graduation & Achievment Awards Ceremony 2022. Castaway is a tale of four children who were stranded on an island after a sea storm. View the article here! |
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SDA PERFORMANCE AT DAS30 CHARITY GALA DINNER On 7 September 2022, eight students from the DAS Speech and Drama Arts programme graced the DAS 30th Anniversary Charity Gala Dinner with a drama & dance performance. This performance was the first live show done by the drama class since the circuit breaker in 2020. View the article here! |
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - RIZQAH Rizqah joined the Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) programme in September 2021, when she was seven years old. Despite enjoying drama activities, she was initially very shy. Rizqah has since grown in confidence after joining the program. Read Rizqah's story here! |
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - ZIQRY Ziqry joined the DAS Speech & Drama Arts Programme when he was only 9 years old. As a drama student, Ziqry always gives his best in class and in performances. He looks forward to performances and enjoys the limelight whenever he’s on the stage. Read Ziqry's story here! |
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SDA VIRTUAL SHOWCASE 2021 On 28 December 2021, 36 of our Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) students adorned the screens for the Virtual DAS Showcase. The SDA students from two DAS Learning Centres (Bedok and Bishan), aged between 6-15 years old presented various plays for their parents and for their teacher's DAS. View the article here! |
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON What comes to mind when you think of a drama class? Chances are, it will be a group of children, in a classroom acting out a scene. As drama teachers, these images are etched in our minds. However, in the last term, our drama classes took a different form. Students entered class by literally popping up in little boxes lined up on computer screens. Suddenly, sound quality and internet connection became a concern and information was shared with a single click. Students and teachers alike had to relearn how to function in this new environment. View the article here! |
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3…2…1…ACTION! The Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) team recognises speech and drama as an effective means of developing our students’ talents and self-confidence, which in turn can lead to a more positive self-concept for our students. Despite being in a pandemic, it didn’t deter the Speech and Drama Arts team from putting up a performance. View the article here! |
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ACTORS ASSEMBLE! WE ARE BACK IN CLASS! “It’s good to come back because I can see my friends’ real faces and not from the screen.” Despite the new routines and challenges, students are happy to be reunited. Let’s hear what they had to say! View the article here! |
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NOAH YAP - ASPIRING ACTOR Noah Yap, a 12-year-old cheerful and diligent student, has been in the Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) programme at Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) for the past 2.5 years. After being in the programme for some time, Noah decided to continue his passion for Theatre Arts in Secondary School. SDA sat down with Noah over some biscuits to gain an insight into his life as SDA student and the decisions he made. Let’s take a sneak peek into Noah’s life and learn how he has managed to achieve his goals. View the article here! |
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MEDIA
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Lebih 45 murid disleksia jayakan persembahan teater 'Shakespeare 400', Berita Setempat - BeritaHarian.sg SERAMAI 300 hadirin berpeluang menonton sebuah persembahan teater selama 105 minit di Teater Genexis di Fusionopolis kelmarin. Sekali imbas, persembahan yang diberi nama Shakespeare 400 itu kelihatan seperti persembahan teater biasa para pelajar. SERAMAI 300 hadirin berpeluang menonton sebuah persembahan teater selama 105 minit di Teater Genexis di Fusionopolis kelmarin. |
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Acting dream comes true for young Aiden Like many young boys, 12-year-old Aiden Peh dreams of making it big as a professional actor. While the road to the red carpet may be rocky for any aspiring star, he faces an additional hurdle - dyslexia. Though learning lines may be a struggle, the Anglo Chinese School Junior pupil has shown that this will not keep him out of the spotlight. |
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Journey of the Legends, Ramayana |
SPEECH AND DRAMA ARTS PROGRAMME
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the aim of the Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) Programme?
The main aim of the SDA Programme is to provide an outlet for students to express themselves, ideas and thoughts without inhibition. The Speech and Drama Arts Programme focuses on developing acting skills, language skills and social-emotional skills through highly interactive and engaging drama activities.
2. What is covered in the programme?
These are the components covered in our SDA Programme:
1) Introduction to Drama - What is Drama (story, scenes, settings, characters, dialogues)
2) Tableaux (Freeze frames)
3) Mime
4) Emotions
5) Voice Expression
6) Physical Expression
7) Critical Thinking
8) Language development through the exposure of different text types
3. How are the lessons at the DAS different from what is offered at tuition/enrichment centres?
The SDA Programme is designed such that students participate in both guided and self-directed activities that engages them kinaesthetically and cognitively. The activities facilitated during lessons encourage affective aspects of reading and literacy while offering multiple opportunities for meaningful communication, social interaction, discussion and feedback. The teachers also have the ability to understand the needs of a child with dyslexia as they are trained Educational Therapists.
4. How many students are there in a class?
Each SDA class has a maximum of 10 students and a minimum of 6 students. The big class size allows students to work together in a team for presentations.
5. Does the SDA programme offer one-to-one remediation?
No, we do not offer one-to-one remediation.
6. How much is the SDA Programme?
Please refer to all our Programme Fees here
Lessons are charged on a termly basis (10 lessons), inclusive of GST. Bursary is available, including for a second Specialised Educational Services (SES) programme.
For example:
Child A is enrolled in both the Main Literacy Programme and Maths Programme and is receiving a bursary. Child A is entitled to receive a second SES bursary if he/she enrols in the Speech and Drama Arts Programme.
7. How often are classes conducted?
Each SDA class is 1.5 hours long, once a week. Our classes are only conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at selected DAS Learning Centres.
8. Which DAS Learning Centre offer the SDA Programme?
Currently, the SDA programme is available at Bedok and Bishan Learning Centres.
9. What are our Placement Procedures?
Parents may submit an application through the DAS website here. Once the application has been processed, the Programme Manager or SDA Teacher will contact the parent to discuss and find a suitable class for the child.
10. What is your teaching approach?
We use the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
1) Language-based – Exposure to different texts to enhance students’ appreciation of the English language through Drama.
2) Cognitive- the activities are crafted to engage their cognition e.g. creative story writing, roleplay, improvisation, memorising scripts, rehearsing and performing with movements and cues
3) Structured, Sequential and Cumulative – includes direct and explicit instruction and has a different range of difficulty level for all activities
4) Simultaneous multi-sensory - engage through stage and hand props, presentation of skills through multiple senses, eg. Using visual and aural cues
5) Diagnostic-prescriptive – Drama Instructors regularly assess students’ abilities and adapt activities according to the class dynamics.
6) Emotionally sound – Drama Instructors are trained in the special needs field who have a better understanding of our students’ needs and strengths.
11. My child has dyslexia but is not a student at DAS. Can he still enrol into the programme?
The SDA Programme is open to both non-DAS students and DAS Students. No formal diagnosis of dyslexia is required.
Call 6444 5700 for more information