Engaging Modern Students with the Works of

Shakespeare

-Zoë Lynskey & Kristi Le Cren

Why is Shakespeare Worth Teaching?

Archetypal stories

Enduring themes

His contributions to our

language

Development of theatre

Questions

What is the issue with teaching and learning Shakespeare in today’s classroom?

What do the students think about Shakespeare?

If given the choice how would students teach Shakespeare?

Would we teach Shakespeare?

Feedback on teaching and learning Shakespeare

‘The language is hard to understand so I get bored and switch off’

‘You should teach it at the beginning of the year because it is the hardest’

‘What is the point?’ ‘I enjoy Shakespeare but it takes forever because people in

the class don’t get it.’ ‘It needs to be more relevant to the theme we are studying

this year, it feels like it has just been tacked on.’ ‘We have not done any Shakespeare’ ‘I wish we did more activities than just have to read all the

time.’ ‘The stories are really cool when you can actually

understand them.’ ‘I think the teacher only teaches it because she likes it.’

Issues:

Shakespeare

optional

Language

barrier

One-size-fits-all

So how would you teach it? ‘Learn more about the language

from year 9 maybe build up a vocabulary or even practise writing using the language’

‘Link it to heaps of other texts especially modern ones, it would help me remember and be more interesting.’

‘Look at little bits of the play first and build up to a full play, makes it less intimidating.’

‘Maybe using different examples of the play.’

‘Have different activities for different people.’

Possible approaches to maximise engagement

Technology

Language- Build Up Year 9

Context or history?

Relevance to modern day

Connections to other mediums

Actively participating (not just reading)

Diversifying Shakespeare for mixed ability

Facebook

Brings Shakespeare into 21stcentury using a medium students can relate to

Before – Hamlet is based on...?

Saxo Grammaticus’

Gesta Danorum

Oriental versions:

Persian, Arabian

and Byzantian

English romances

Modern Comparison

Having students compare Shakespeare to a modern text which is not an actual adaption

Brave New World and The Tempest

After – Adaptations of Hamlet

Rosencrantz &

Guildenstern Are Dead

Rockabye Hamlet

Hamlet (the Opera)

Hamletmachine

Let the Devil Wear

Black

The Lion King

“Urban Slang” Editions

Condenses and

modernizes the five

acts

Uses contemporary

urban slang

Written by a New York

City public school

teacher

“For Kids” Versions

Written in rhyming

couplets

Low literacy

Written by a

Canadian school

teacher and

illustrated by her

class

“Manga / Graphic Novel” Versions

Would We Teach Shakespeare?

ZOË

Yes:

Important part of our

language

There is a lot you can

do with his stories

I am a huge fan!

KRISTI

Yes:

Important stage in

development of the

theatre

Adaptable

Timeless

Goals

Have students understand Shakespearean

language

Have Shakespearean English spoken

confidently in the classroom

Shakespearean English brought back into

mainstream usage

Shakespearean English accepted as New

Zealand’s third official language of the New

Zealand Curriculum

Sign our petition

Prithee hear this. My advocation is that thou brave lads and fair maidens dost make thy mark. On these barks thou thoughts to character that our glorious tongue be spoken forevermore.

Resources

Internet Shakespeare Editions

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/

Dictionary

http://www.william-

shakespeare.info/william-

shakespeare-dictionary.htm

Resources

www.lapis.plus.com/shakespeare/overview.htm

http://technology.edublogs.org/files/2007/02/bowman-and-pieters-shakespeare-our-contemporary.pdf

http://seas3.elte.hu/angolpark/Texts/VinceMate/VinceTeachingShakespeare.pdf

www.stuff.co.nz/national/719335 www.teach-shakespeare.com/ www.nosweatshakespear.com