“The Lorax” Makes a Shining Debut at ACE TTP
By Devona Jackson, ACE Teacher

The Australian Centre for Education (ACE), an initiative of IDP Education that has been operating in Cambodia since 1992, strives to provide high quality English language training in a dynamic learning environment.

Term 2 2019 was full of excitement at ACE Tuol Tom Poung campus, particularly for YL 15 students. On June 2 2019, a number of YL 15 students performed a theatrical production of the children’s story “The Lorax” by Dr Seuss. I introduced the concept of “Reader’s Theatre” and the performance project itself to my YL 15 students in our first class of Term 2.

 
Students took the lead on this project: they rehearsed their lines, created the props and scenery, and learned important lessons about environmental friendliness, conserving natural resources and consumerism, which tends to bring out greed in people. This student-led project activated their natural talents. They played a huge part in the project as they worked together to create a rendition of a famous story and movie.

Students were able to express themselves creatively and, in the end, produced a wonderful rendition of a children’s classic. One student noted, “I memorised it because the lines are kind of ridiculous. I remembered some words that are repeated again and again”. Another student said, “It was terrifying having a million eyes staring at you, but it was fun! It was fun because you get to show your work, which also boosts your confidence”. Another mentioned, “It was very fun, and I have acting experience so I could understand it easily”.