The Linguist

Chartered Institute of Linguists AUTUMN 2025 The Linguist 21 FEATURES their creativity freely, reclaim their voice and find community. It's not about training people to become actors (though some do go on to pursue that), it's about dignity, visibility and agency. We aim to build confidence and encourage self-expression in a supportive environment where stories and languages can be shared on equal terms. Our Tottenham Project is funded through a mix of small grants, community funds and in-kind support, and we also encourage people to donate. How do you teach language via drama? We don't 'teach language'; we encourage people to practise it in a non-formal setting. Through improvisation, scene work and physical storytelling, participants engage with vocabulary in context, practise real communication and build confidence without the fear of making mistakes. Acting helps overcome inhibition. It allows people to feel the language in their bodies, not just study it intellectually. We focus on interaction, rhythm, tone and gesture – tools that make language alive, embodied and relational. Do your English Through Theatre and Foreign Languages Through Theatre workshops require different approaches because the first are mainly for adults and the latter for school pupils? The core philosophy is the same – learning through doing, speaking, performing and playing – but the structure differs. With adults, the focus is on language in context, cultural exchange, pronunciation and confidence. In schools, we tie workshops into curriculum goals and focus on making foreign languages fun, memorable and emotionally engaging. Both approaches use theatre tools, but we adapt tone, pace and outcomes to the group. How does your Theatre Passport programme help international actors navigate UK theatre and film? Migrant artists face obstacles including lack of access to networks, cultural expectations in auditions, visa restrictions and the industry's often narrow view of 'casting type'. Accents remain a huge barrier. Many talented actors are told they're 'not native enough' or are limited to stereotypical roles. There's also the challenge of understanding tone, subtext and cultural references in English scripts. Theatre Passport gives them the tools to navigate these obstacles and connects them with peers facing the same struggles. legalalienstheatre.com Tottenham Project student, Davood Mahoozi When I came to London I faced many challenges. As an asylum seeker you have plenty of time but you have no job and money so you're stuck. I was alone, feeling lonely and vulnerable, when I discovered the Tottenham Project. I found myself in a room with welcoming people who had created a really inspiring artistic environment. I had always wanted to explore acting but it had never been an option for me growing up in Iran. The first session was very affirming. Although I was apprehensive, I immediately felt like I had become part of a family and the feeling of being alone was not there for the first time in a very long while. Although my level of English was already good, it has helped me to be more confident with speaking English, reading scripts and performing with expression. I was part of a small production for refugee week, which gave me a real sense of achievement. English Through Theatre teacher, Mags Brady In 2004, I set up the support group PBIC for Polish migrants in the UK. The poet Cyprian Kamil Norwid was a huge inspiration; he presents art mixing with 'practicality', and we embedded this ethos in our work with vulnerable migrants. Art is a powerful gate for communication and theatre is one part of that. It's a space where learners can start discovering not only an additional language, but also the power of their presence and physical communication. There are many things participants can take away from drama-based workshops, which is why we are eager to train PBIC teachers in this area. It can increase self- esteem, which is much needed for displaced people. Nine members of our team are involved with LegalAliens' Bedford Project. Its workshops have brought another dimension to our communication and have helped me to develop as CEO. Workshop participants

• Cover