SDEA Essentials of Teaching and Learning Approaches 2027

SDEA's signature drama pedagogy certification course.

This 40-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 The Course

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 in Drama/Theatre or a related art form (minimum of a diploma 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)

Module Synopses

Development of Drama Education in Singapore

This module provides learners with an overview of the development of drama education in Singapore, examining its historical evolution, key perspectives, practices, and its place within the broader educational and arts landscape. The module invites learners to critically consider their professional positioning as drama educators and to develop an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and ethical considerations that shape their practice.

Upon completion of the module, learners will have developed a greater awareness of their professional identity and responsibilities as drama educators, an appreciation of the development and significance of drama education in Singapore, and an understanding of how reflective practice can support their continued professional growth and contribution to the field.

Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning

This module introduces learners to drama pedagogy as an active, embodied, and reflective approach to teaching and learning. Through experiential workshops and the exploration of teaching practices, learners will examine how drama can create meaningful spaces for participation, inquiry, collaborative learning, and engagement with different perspectives.

Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to apply key principles of drama pedagogy and facilitate learning experiences that foster curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement.

The Reflective Practitioner

This module introduces learners to reflective practice as a process for examining and improving their teaching. Learners will explore approaches and tools for reflection that enable them to critically examine their experiences, pedagogical choices, and professional practice.

Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to use reflective practice to identify learning from their experiences, critically examine their teaching, and make informed decisions for continued improvement.

Lesson Planning

This module introduces learners to the principles and rigours of effective lesson planning in drama education. Learners will explore how to design developmentally and culturally appropriate drama activities, consider effective and affective strategies for engaging students, and use evaluation to make informed decisions about teaching and learning.

Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to plan purposeful and responsive drama lessons that address learners’ needs, encourage meaningful engagement, and support intended learning outcomes.

Assessment and Evaluation

This module introduces learners to key principles and approaches to assessment and evaluation in drama education. Learners will explore different forms of assessment, authentic evaluation strategies, and the use of rubrics to assess students’ learning and engagement.

Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to select appropriate assessment methods, develop and apply rubrics, and evaluate learning in ways that are purposeful, accurate, and appropriate to the drama education context.

Student Engagement and Classroom Management

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.

Performance Review and Dialogue

This module equips learners with strategies to facilitate meaningful reflection and dialogue around arts and cultural experiences. Learners will explore approaches to unpacking performances with students, encouraging critical thinking, multiple perspectives, and thoughtful engagement.

As part of the module, learners will attend a theatre performance and participate in facilitated learning sessions before and after the experience.

Consultations (for microteaching)

Each learner will be allocated an individual consultation session to receive guidance and feedback on their lesson plan in preparation for their microteaching presentation. The consultation provides an opportunity to clarify ideas, refine pedagogical approaches, and strengthen the alignment between learning objectives, activities, and teaching strategies and outcomes.

From Principles to Practice - Microteaching Presentations

Participants will present a 15-20-min presentation (microteaching) 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

Reflection: My Professional Learning Journey

This module brings together learners’ experiences and learning across the course. Learners will reflect on how their understanding of drama education, teaching practice, and professional role has developed through their ETLA journey.

Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to articulate their professional learning and growth, identify shifts in their thinking and practice, and consider how they will carry their learning forward as drama educators.

SDEA Membership Discount

All SDEA Members enjoy early access and 25% early bird discount (till 29 Nov 2026) or 20% off standard price (30 Nov 2026 - 3 Jan 2027).

SDEA Membership is a 2-year renewable membership. A one-time fee of S$40.00 is required upon application. Membership renewal is based on engagement in SDEA activities (ie. participate in at least 1 SDEA event within the 2 year period.)*

*Membership renewal condition(s) are subjected to changes. Please contact SDEA for the lastest information.

Click to apply for SDEA Membership

Early Bird Discount [ends 29 Nov 2026]

Non-SDEA Members enjoy a 5% early bird discount on the standard course fee from till 29 Nov 2026.

SDEA Members enjoy a 25% early bird discount on the standard course fee till 29 Nov 2026.

Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) [Open to SDEA Members only | Application closes 15 Nov 2026]

The Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) is a funding initiative by the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) to support freelance practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a regular part of their lives. 

Successful applicants will be awarded up to S$500 subsidies for this course.

Click here to find out more about the initiative.

Applicants must be: Associate or Ordinary members of SDEA

Application:

Click to apply for TSPDI

Application Deadline: Sunday, 15 November 2026, 11:59pm

Shortlisted candidates will be notified for an interview between 16 to 29 November 2026. 

Successful recipients will be notified by: Friday, 4 December 2026.

[Coming soon] SkillsFuture Credit 

Singaporeans aged 25 and above who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit can apply for a claim.

Please inform SDEA upon course registration your intent to utilise your SkillsFuture Credit in part or in full for the qualifying course fee to obtain the necessary supporting documents for the claim.

Visit MySkillsFuture to check your credit balance* and for more information on the claims process.

*Only the SkillsFuture Credit from the Opening Credit are claimable for this course. The Mid-Career Credit is not applicable. 

Applicants sponsored by an organisation or request for school e-billing will not be eligible for a SkillsFuture Credit claim.

Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) 

NTUC Union 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.