Season 2, Episode 1: Building Spontaneous Communication Through Improv feat. Educator & Podcaster David Gray

Send us Fan MailDo your students sound fluent in rehearsal but freeze up in unscripted situations?In this opening episode of Season 2, veteran Canadian educator David Gray makes the case for improvisation as a powerful tool for Japanese EFL learners. He shows how improv helps students develop genuine, spontaneous communication.Although improv feels spontaneous, it rests on clear, teachable principles: deep listening, accepting offers, and co-creating meaning in the moment. Drawing on years of experience teaching in Japan, Gray shares practical classroom adaptations that respect Japanese group dynamics and varying student confidence levels.We explore how improv activities build both confidence and fluency, why humor often emerges when students simply “play it straight,” and why human skills like listening, empathy, and real-time responsiveness matter more than ever in the age of AI.Links:Shinshu University https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jpMr. Gray's related article, Why Teach Improv? Teaching Improvisation in University EFL Communication Classes in Mask & Gavel:DOI: https://doi.org/10.37546/JALTSIG.PIE11.1-3The Easy English Bible Study Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/search?term=%22The%20Easy%20English%20Bible%20Study%20PodcastRecommended reading:Bedore, B. (2014). 101 more improv games for children and adults. Hunter House.Halpern, C., Close, D., & Johnson, K. (1994). Truth in comedy: The manual of improvisation. Meriwether Publishing.Kramer, G., & Ploesch, R. (2022). Improvised theatre and the autism spectrum: A practical guide to teaching social connection and communication skills. Routledge.Paradis, M. (2020). Teaching improv: The essential handbook: Your step-by-step guide to teaching short form improv. Beat by Beat Press.Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please like and leave a review. To learn more about the Performance in Education SIG, check out our website. https://jaltpiesig.org/Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to us at:[email protected] access other high-quality JALT podcasts, go to JALTCALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) Podcasts on Soundcloud!https://soundcloud.com/jalt-callFor tips on how to cite these episodes using APA 7th edition, use the link below:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLVARUdviigboSQXkJXfgNm0zNkMsal6brBvwpmTKWM/edit?usp=sharingIntro & Outro song: Unlock Me (Royalty free)Music by Kontraa Studio | UKA Music Publishing LLC