Step 2: After the students have completed a silent reading of the Scene, they should be asked to form groups and read it aloud as naturally as they can. They should clearly be told to take these rehearsals seriously because they will be required "to perform" in front of the entire class for which they will receive a grade; this last piece of information has a most positive effect on their "performance".

Teachers who have access to a tape or video recorder might want to record their students' performances - as I sometimes do - and then have the students listen or watch them. Not only do they enjoy it, but this activity also makes them better motivated.

It is important to tell students prior to their rehearsal/s to maintain proper eye contact and not to keep their noses buried in their textbooks. Although the lines certainly do not have to be memorized, students need to "speak" rather than read their lines. At this stage they probably will be doing some (or all) of the following which they should not be doing: (1) not looking at the person spoken to; (2) looking in the book and not at the speaker; or (3) speaking too softly, too loudly, too monotonously, unnaturally. When they have all understood what they should not do and have satisfactorily completed their rehearsal/s, two or three groups should be asked "to perform" in front of the entire class and, of course, be graded for their effort. Last, but in no way least, generously praise and encourage anyone who deserves it!