The Authenticity Experiment: Speaking English Improvisationally

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In life, "we are not asked if we will play. That is not an option. Play we must. The option is how." -Anthony De Mello 

How will we “play” the ins-and-outs of our lives? We have choices. Daily, I repeat this mantra – WE HAVE CHOICES –   to the international students in my class, "Speaking English Improvisationally," at the Georgia Tech Language Institute. During our 36 hours of class time over a two-month period, we explore how to communicate authentically through improvisation activities. We have within our reach at any moment a vast range of communication options available when speaking in English. 


As literally and figuratively “players” on a world stage, I invite these international professionals and students to "play" around with both their physical and vocal range to see what they can discover about who they “might be” when they are speaking English while living and participating in American culture. As most of us know, each language and culture has its own tones, rhythms, tongue and lip muscle engagements, physical behaviors and manners. Often the language learners I teach feel outright awkward speaking and moving in the “foreign” tongue and terrain of the United States. 


In fact, they seem to have left an essential part of themselves at home in their countries. To heighten their awareness about this conundrum, I call out the word “ghost.” I tell them it is possible that they left their bodies at home and only their ghosts are present in the class. Bursts of laughter erupt and many students nod their heads in agreement. The greatest accomplishment I experience is when I have successfully helped a student to “find themselves” in this culture. To achieve this feat of “rediscovery,” it is essential to engage the “whole student body” in class.


As a certified InterPlay leader and an experienced ESL teacher for almost 30 years, I require my students to get up out of their seats and to move. One of the simplest kinesthetic activities is to ask them to imagine being really large and filling up all available space in the classroom. In fact, they are so large, I tell them, that their bodies are expanding beyond the building into the sky going out into the universe. With music supporting their movements, they play around with this concept of largeness for several minutes. Inevitably, some students are forever transformed. Body and spirit have been reacquainted and united.


During the journey students take with me during these 36 hours, I ask that they discover their authentic selves in this new language and to communicate whatever that authenticity is through making expressive choices. Our class is an "authenticity experiment." 

One student from Vietnam got this idea of authenticity through this active creative way to unlock the wisdom your body (InterPlay philosophy). Upon completion of this course, she wrote that she "found" herself again. That after learning a lot of things about American culture that she is a new person "with the combination of my old culture and American culture." 


SUCCESS! That is what I've been striving to facilitate in the courses I teach. My students have been telling me for years that I am teaching more than language. And they are correct. I am teaching them about the choices they have to be themselves. What a wonderful and powerful experience for both my students and myself!


This video is comprised of photos taken over 36-hours of classes in a two-month period for a course called "Speaking English Improvisationally" at the Georgia Tech Language Institute. Students from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Tawain, and Mexico participated.

At the GTLI, we are dedicated professional experienced educators. Our classes offer 21st Century learning opportunities which are highly dynamic and fun while being instructional. We champion excellence and support global friendships! #gtli #georgiatechgtli #atlantaenglish #gatechenglish #English #interplaycom #interplayschowalter #interplay #interplay30 #interplayatlanta 

 Find out more: 
Georgia Tech Language Institute https://esl.gatech.edu InterPlay http://www.interplay.org InterPlay with Ruth Schowalter https://interplayschowalter.blogspot.com 

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