Process drama and intercultural language learning: an experience of contemporary Italy

This paper illustrates research on the effects of 'process drama' to enhance intercultural awareness for learners of Italian as an Additional Language. To validate the potential synergy between 'process drama' and intercultural language learning, I created six 'process dramas' to explore some contemporary Italian socio-cultural issues, as part of a third-year course of Italian at an intermediate/advanced level of proficiency. I experimented with manipulation of aesthetic distance to allow participants to de-centre and empathise with the characters and situations, to trigger an intercultural awareness process based on experience, reflection, analysis and action. The findings confirm that strategies of manipulation of distance crafted within a 'process drama' approach can be successful in enhancing intercultural awareness in an Additional Language learning context.