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SDEA's signature drama pedagogy certification course.
This 49-hour certification course will provide you with fundamental pedagogical knowledge and skills to create meaningful and imaginative learning experiences for your students and participants with drama, and widen the possibilities and opportunities for work in Singapore.
At the end of the course, participants will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion, which is recognised by the National Arts Council. This Certificate satisfies the pedagogical requirement for arts instructors to conduct NAC-AEP Arts Experience programmes in Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges, Centralised Institutes and ITE Regional Campuses.
ETLA graduates will be invited to join a Community of Practice that meets quarterly to reflect on their practice and share best practices.

About ETLA10
Course Objectives:
- Develop greater awareness of the role and impact of a drama educator in the Singapore context
- Understand the creative potential of drama-based pedagogies that aim to foster students’ curiosity, empathy and criticality
- Understand key components of lesson planning and acquire skills in planning developmentally appropriate drama lessons for target groups
- Manage resources and the physical environment as part of classroom management
- Understanding of physical, psychological and emotional safety and well-being in the classroom
- Develop skills and strategies to guide students in unpacking arts and cultural experiences while encouraging critical thinking and dialogue
Minimum Requirement:
- Professional Qualification (minimum of a diploma in a relevant art form, and/or industry experience)
- Some Teaching Experience
Suitable For:
- Fresh Graduates from Tertiary Drama Programmes
- Drama/Theatre-based Artists
- Drama Educators Without Pedagogy Training (e.g. Drama CCA Instructors, Drama Enrichment Instructors)
- School Teachers
Schedule
Module Code |
Module Title |
Facilitator |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
- |
Orientation |
- |
TBC |
TBC |
T BC |
DESC |
Drama Education in the Singapore Context |
Asha Nathan |
19 Jan 2024 (Fri) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
DPED |
Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning |
Dr Noorlinah Mohamed |
20 Jan 2024 (Sat) |
10am - 1pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
DPED |
Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning |
Dr Noorlinah Mohamed |
20 Jan 2024 (Sat) |
2.30pm - 5.30pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
DPED |
Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning |
Dr Noorlinah Mohamed |
22 Jan 2024 (Mon) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
TRP |
The Reflective Practitioner |
Dr Noorlinah Mohamed |
25 Jan 2024 (Thu) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
EDC |
Evaluation in the Drama Classroom |
Asha Nathan |
27 Jan 2024 (Sat) |
10am - 1pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
ADS |
Assessment of a Drama Session |
Asha Nathan |
27 Jan 2024 (Sat) |
2.30pm - 5.30pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
EETP |
Developing and Delivering Meaningful Drama Sessions: Effective Engagement & Thoughtful Planning |
Jeffrey Tan |
29 Jan 2024 (Mon) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
FELE |
Facilitation of an Effective Learning Environment |
Elvira Holmberg |
1 Feb 2024 (Thu) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
EETP |
Developing and Delivering Meaningful Drama Sessions: Effective Engagement & Thoughtful Planning |
Jeffrey Tan |
5 Feb 2024 (Mon) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
FELE |
Facilitation of an Effective Learning Environment |
Elvira Holmberg |
8 Feb 2024 (Thu) |
7pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
- |
Lesson Plan Assignment Submission (no classroom session) |
Jeffrey Tan |
16 Feb 2024 (Fri) |
6 pm |
Online submission |
- |
Consultations |
Jeffrey Tan |
26 Feb 2024 (Mon) |
7pm - 10pm |
Online via Zoom |
FPTP |
From Principles to Practice - Microteaching Presentations |
Jeffrey Tan & Elvira Holmberg |
2 Mar 2024 (Sat) |
10am - 1pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
FPTP |
From Principles to Practice - Microteaching Presentations |
Jeffrey Tan & Elvira Holmberg |
2 Mar 2024 (Sat) |
2.30pm - 5.30pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
RPLJ |
Reflection: My Professional Learning Journey |
Dr Noorlinah Mohamed |
7 Mar 2024 (Thu) |
7 pm - 10pm |
Goodman Arts Centre |
FPD |
Facilitating Post-Show Dialogues and Unpacking Arts & Cultural Experiences |
Adib Kosnan |
9 Mar 2024 (Sat) |
TBC |
TBC |

Module Synopses
Drama Education in the Singapore Context (DESC)
Facilitator: Asha Nathan
This module provides an overview of the development, perspectives and precision of drama education in the Singapore context.
This module also aims to help learners discover their own professional standing as a drama educator and equip them with skills to engage in reflective practice. Upon completion of this module, learners will develop a greater awareness of their roles and responsibilities and how they can contribute as a professional drama educator in the Singapore context.
Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning (DPED)
Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed
This module explores the different pedagogies in drama education. Using lesson plans as case studies, learners will unpack and experience the different pedagogies and identify fundamentals that are unique to drama education. One of the key fundamentals grounding the process is facilitated learning that engages students in critically reviewing their world through embodied and active learning.
Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to consider the creative potential of a range of drama-based pedagogies that aim to foster student’s curiosity, empathy and criticality.
The Reflective Practitioner (TRP)
Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed
This module introduces learners to the importance of being a reflective practitioner. Reflective practice is an approach that enables learners to understand how they can use the knowledge and skills gained during the course and/or other learning contexts in practical work situations and how they combine action and learning in a more effective way. Through greater awareness and reflection, learners will be able to identify and articulate the knowledge that is embedded in the experience of their work so that they can constantly improve their teaching and learning practices.
Upon completion of the module, learners will develop better awareness and understanding of the importance of engaging in reflective practice and critically analyse own practices to gain a better understanding of quality teaching for safe and positive learning environments.
Developing and Delivering Meaningful Drama Sessions: Effective Engagement & Thoughtful Planning (EETP)
Facilitator: Jeffrey Tan
This module introduces learners to the rigours of lesson planning and the importance of:
- Developing developmentally and culturally appropriate drama activities for students
- Considering effective and affective engagement strategies during lesson
Upon completion of the module, learners will gain a better understanding of the key components of lesson planning and acquire some skills in planning developmentally appropriate drama lesson for students from 4 to 16 years of age.
Facilitation of an Effective Learning Environment (FELE)
Facilitator: Elvira Holmberg
This module introduces the learners to the importance of a stimulating, engaging and well organised learning environment and how it affects student behaviour and learning. It examines how a variety of choices of materials and approaches stimulates students’ thinking and facilitates their learning.
Upon completion of the module, learners will acquire basic skills and knowledge on how to create, organise and select appropriate resources and materials to facilitate learning in the drama classroom. Learners will also gain some strategies to manage the physical environment as part of classroom management.
Evaluation in the Drama Classroom (EDC)
Facilitator: Asha Nathan
This module introduces the learners to the importance of evaluation in helping educators make informed decisions about students’ learning and instruction.
Upon completion of the module, learners will acquire basic skills and knowledge in strategies for authentic evaluation of student’s learning and key considerations in the evaluation of activities implemented in a drama classroom.
Assessment of a Drama Session (ADS)
Facilitator: Asha Nathan
The module introduces the learners to the different forms of assessment and rubrics. It is especially essential as it will equip Drama Educators with the ability to determine the assessment mode based on the programme they will be teaching. This will ensure that the assessment is carried out in a safe and accurate manner.
Upon completion of the module, learners will gain a better understanding of the different forms of assessments that are currently established. Learners will also be better equipped to assess students using rubrics as a scoring tool.
From Principles to Practice - Microteaching Presentations (FPTP)
Facilitator: Jeffrey Tan & Elvira Holmberg
Participants will present a 15-min presentation (micro-teaching) based on a section of the submitted lesson plan.
Participants will have to demonstrate the following:
- Content designed for relevant age and topic
- Implementation of clear and logical sequence
- Gradual development of skills plan
- Appropriate and effective use of materials and resources
- Application of effective engagement strategies
- Application of classroom management strategies
Facilitating Post-Show Dialogues and Unpacking Arts & Cultural Experiences (FPD)
Facilitator: Adib Kosnan
The module will equip learners with strategies in facilitating post-show dialogues with students. The module will also guide learners in the unpacking of arts and cultural experiences for students while encouraging critical thinking and dialogue.
Participants will be attending a theatre performance as part of the module.
Reflection: My Professional Learning Journey (RPLJ)
Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed
Participants will reflect on their professional self and course experience.
Funding and Subsidies
Early Bird Registration
Register by 10 Dec 2023 to receive 5% off unsubsidised course fee.
SDEA Membership
SDEA Members receive additional 20% off standard course fee.
SDEA Members receive early access to early bird registration.
NAC-AEP Subsidy
NAC-AEP approved instructors/providers will be eligible for 50% subsidy.
Applicants will be required to provide proof during registration or via email.
SkillsFuture Credit [Application opening soon]
Singaporeans aged 25 and above who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit can apply for a claim for this course.
Applicants who request for school e-billing will not be eligible for SkillsFuture Credit.
Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) [Application opening soon]
NTUC members enjoy up to 50% unfunded course fee support, capped at $250 or $500 (aged 40 years old and above).
UTAP application must be submitted within 6 months after course completion via the NTUC UPortal. T&Cs can be found here.
NOTE: This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Registrants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.
NAC-NICA Training Support [Application opening soon]
Self-employed arts educators can claim up to $500 in subsidies and training allowance.
Application process:
- A pply online for a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) from NICA
- Email the NICA-issued LOE to SDEA latest by 18 Jan 2023
- NICA Member
- Self-Employed Person, with no concurrent full-time employment
- Work in the Arts sector
- Subscribed to NAC Arts Resource Hub
NOTE 1: This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Successful applicants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.
NOTE 2: Successful applicants for NAC-NICA Training Support will automatically be eligible for UTAP funding (reimbursement-basis). No separate application is required for UTAP.
Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) [NEW!]
In loving memory of the late Christina Sergeant, TSPDI is an SDEA initiative that provides subsidies to SDEA events, masterclasses and professional development programmes.
The registration process will take approximately 20 minutes, please have your CV/resume on hand.
Application deadline: 27 Nov 2023
Apply here
If you require any support, please contact projects@sdea.org.sg.