Teaching Shakespeare For First Timers!

By Author: rober rosky
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For every newbie literate teacher the thought of teaching Shakespeare is usually extremely terrifying! Any first time teacher will be intimidated by the fact that the language is so unfamiliar and difficult, and considered as the professionals has interpreted just about every part of the plays for years and years. Well, to be honest, Shakespeare was ultimately a playwright for the people, and since his work demonstrates the principle facts about human conditions, it has lasted ever since then.

By using these few basic steps your first-time Shakespeare teaching should really be rather less daunting.

1. Because a play is supposed to be seen, it will be advised that you rent the film version. The language on the page will be more appreciated if you get the full visual richness of the specific play. All the work of Shakespeare is available on DVD these days.

2. For you to get the full picture you should watch the DVD from beginning to end the first time round. When viewing it a second time round you ought to follow along with the text. Dot down comments of anything that interests you ...
... and might be worth mentioning it to the students to help expand their understanding of the work.

3. It is recommended to read a modern day translation. Text copies that has the original language on the one side of the page as well as a modern translation on the other side will certainly make things easier. That will help to clear some puzzling parts of the play written in old English.

4. Make use of the annotations. Most texts will provide you with a concise explanation of a specific term or word in the play plus provide you historical and crucial insight. When you and the students understand these references you should be able to comprehend the text better.

5. For you to further improve your own teaching efforts you should make time to read through some criticism on the piece you are planning to discuss.

6. You should practice the rhythm of iambic pentameter. This could safe you some embarrassment in front of your scholars. Take time to audibly rehearse the lines you are planning to cover before you begin teaching your class. Bear in mind the fact that the lines does not usually rhyme, nonetheless there is a set rhythm. It is important for you to identify the rhythm of iambic pentameter, as it will help you to remember how the lines should be heard as you are reading it out aloud to your students.

7. Timelessness is quite important. All the work of Shakespeare can connect with human nature, such as love and death, betrayal and jealousy, greed and generosity etc. By using words like - it is just like - you should try to connect these universal aspects to the present day living of the students, and they will become more prone to taking part and finding value in the work itself.

These are only a few basic steps. If you want more insight on teaching Shakespeare, then you need to have a look at prestwickhouse.com. They offer a wide range of Ap English material on teaching literature, vocabulary and Ap English Language. It is really worth having a look!