Innovation in Language Learning

The article discusses the field of non-formal education for adults and conveys the idea of amateur theater as a means of personal development aimed at acquiring highly sought-after social skills as well as language skills in a foreign language, in our case, French. The application of theater-based activities has a long tradition in education overall and particularly in developing language skills. Dramatic pedagogy, applied theater, experiential learning, and process theater are just a few of the many theater-related methods that target a wide range of aptitudes and skills; they have been successfully applied at various levels of education and have not lost their relevance in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.

The article presents a case study of a French amateur theater group in Lithuania. The experience-based research explores the impact of performing on stage on the development of personal traits and social skills in adults, especially focusing on their L2 skills. We will also find instances that trigger or encourage an increase in motivation to learn a foreign language. The authors' conclusions are based on the analysis of data collected through an online survey regarding the personal opinions and reflections of participants in amateur theater: the data covers their attitudes and ideas based on their theatrical/acting experiences. The survey questions addressed the evolution of participants' socially relevant skills, such as collaboration, active listening, and critical thinking, as well as the development of their communicative skills, particularly in using French, which is L2 for most respondents. The author concludes with a summary of the results and suggestions for community-based learning methods based on theater.

Keywords: theater, motivation, French, learning, memory

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