Theatre workshops in the process of teaching and learning English: A ‘Q’ study

This book is the result of a master's thesis entitled ‘Theatre workshops in the teaching and learning process and in the training of English language teachers - a “Q” study’. The main objective of the research was to survey and analyse the perceptions of pre-service teachers and the teacher-researcher involved in the study regarding the use and possible contributions of theatre workshops in the teaching and learning process and in the training of English language teachers. One of the tools used in the qualitative analysis of the data was the ‘Q’ Methodology, which was introduced by psychologist and physicist William Stephenson in 1935. Stephenson points out the similarities between the Q Methodology and quantum physics, i.e., both use the same mathematical-statistical modelling; however, while quantum physics refers to states of ‘matter’, the Q Methodology refers to states of ‘thought’. This study showed that, with regard to the process of teaching and learning English through theatre workshops, cognitive, affective, psychosocial, interactional and educational aspects must be taken into account.