| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Drama |
| What topic | Accents |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 11 |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Accents
Year 11 (ages 15-16)
Drama
20 students
30 minutes
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 5 | Introduce the lesson topic, discuss why accents matter in drama, and explain objectives. |
| 2 | Accent Exploration | 10 | Listen to audio clips of various accents. Discuss the characteristics of each accent. |
| 3 | Group Practice | 7 | In pairs, students practice mimicking the accents discussed, focusing on pronunciation. |
| 4 | Performance Examples | 5 | Watch video clips of actors utilizing different accents in performances. |
| 5 | Homework Assignment | 3 | Assign homework where students must select an accent to practice and prepare a short monologue. Provide details on what to submit. |
| 6 | Q&A and Wrap Up | 5 | Answer any questions from students and summarise the lesson. Highlight the importance of accents in character portrayal. |
"Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we are diving into an exciting lesson on accents in drama. Accents are not just a way of speaking; they play a significant role in character development and storytelling. Our objectives for this lesson include understanding why accents matter in drama, differentiating between various English accents, and then, of course, actually practicing some of these accents ourselves. By the end of this lesson, you should have a deeper appreciation for how accents can enhance your performances!"
"Now let's start our exploration of accents. I have prepared some audio clips for you to listen to. We will begin with the Cockney accent. I want you to close your eyes and really listen—try to pick up on the unique sounds and rhythms. [Play Cockney audio clip]
"Great! What did you notice about the Cockney accent? Any standout features? That's right, it’s very rhythmic with its distinctive vowel sounds and dropping of the 'h'. Next, let's move on to the Geordie accent. [Play Geordie audio clip]
"What do you all think about Geordie? Yes, it can sound quite melodic! It also has strong 'r' pronunciations and a unique lexicon. Let's take a listen to the Received Pronunciation next. [Play Received Pronunciation audio clip]
"This accent is often regarded as 'the standard' British accent. What should we note about this one? Excellent observations about clarity and enunciation! Lastly, let’s hear a bit of Scouse. [Play Scouse audio clip]
"Scouse has a very distinctive sound, particularly in its intonation patterns. What do you think makes this accent stand out? Good points! Now that we've explored these accents, let’s discuss their characteristics and how they can inform a character's backstory or personality."
"Now it’s time to put into practice what we’ve learned. I would like you to pair up with a partner. Choose one accent from the ones we’ve listened to and practice mimicking it. Focus on the pronunciation and try to capture the essence of the accent. I will walk around to help you if you need guidance or adjustments.
"You have about 7 minutes. Go ahead and get started, and remember, it’s all about having fun while you practice!"
"Let’s gather back together! For the next part of our lesson, we will watch some video clips of well-known actors using different accents in their performances.
"First, let’s enjoy a scene featuring a Cockney character. [Play video clip with Cockney accent]
"What did you notice about the way the actor used the accent? Absolutely! It creates a vivid sense of place and character. Next, we’ll watch a clip featuring a Geordie character. [Play video clip with Geordie accent]
"Now, how does this accent affect the portrayal of the character? Yes, it adds authenticity! We’ll also look at a clip with Received Pronunciation. [Play video clip with Received Pronunciation]
"What mood or character traits do you think this accent conveys? Fantastic insights! Finally, let’s see a Scouse performance. [Play video clip with Scouse]
"How does the accent enhance the character's personality? Brilliant thoughts! Accents truly add depth and nuance to performances, don’t they?"
"Now, for your homework, I want each of you to select one accent you’d like to practice. I would like you to prepare a short monologue using that accent. An example could be writing a piece or choosing a well-known monologue to perform.
"Please record yourself practicing the accent if you can; I will be collecting the recordings along with your written submissions next class. Be sure to incorporate what we have discussed about accent characteristics. Remember, the goal is to understand and embody the accent to enhance your performance!"
"Before we wrap up for today, do you have any questions about what we've covered or the homework assignment?
"Thank you for your insightful questions! As we conclude, remember that mastering accents can significantly enrich your characters and the stories you tell. Accents give us the chance to breathe life into our performances. Keep practicing and embracing this diversity in your art! I look forward to seeing your progress next session!"
What are the defining features of the Cockney accent? Provide specific examples based on the audio clip we listened to in class.
Describe the Geordie accent. How does its melodic quality impact a character's portrayal in drama?
In your own words, explain the significance of Received Pronunciation in British theatre. What traits does this accent convey about a character?
What unique characteristics of the Scouse accent did you notice during the performance examples? How do these features contribute to character development?
Choose one English accent that you would like to practice. Write a short paragraph about a character who might use this accent, detailing their background and personality traits.
Based on the lesson, why is it important for actors to master different accents? Discuss how accents can affect the overall narrative in a play or performance.
Write a monologue of 2-3 minutes in length using the accent you've chosen. Ensure it reflects the characteristics of that accent. What situation is your character in, and what emotions are they expressing?
If possible, record yourself performing the monologue in the accent. Reflect on your performance by answering the following questions: What do you feel went well? What aspects of the accent did you find challenging?
How can accents enhance the storytelling aspect of a drama piece? Provide two examples from the clips we watched in class.
Reflecting on your understanding of drama and accents, what is one key takeaway you learned from this lesson that you will apply in your future performances?