
English teacher techniques to engage students in Shakespeare
Despite his material being written more than 400 years ago, William Shakespeare’s work continues to be a core pillar of English classes the world over. This is particularly true in England, the birthplace of the man regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. With the National Curriculum featuring more Shakespeare than ever – and today’s students seemingly worlds away from the language and themes explored in much of Shakespeare’s works - teachers and educators must be creative in the ways they bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom. The following tips should help to engage and inspire pupils to connect with Shakespeare.
Give students some background
Many students find it beneficial to understand the general themes or plotlines of Shakespeare before diving into a closer reading. Shakespeare’s plays can seem dense and onerous to young people, and this will be magnified if they don’t understand the general idea and storyline as they read. Known for his dramatic irony and intricate character developments and relationships, Shakespeare’s work could be re-read over and over and there would still be nuances left to discover. Give your students a leg-up by running through a play’s basic plot (such as “a man and a woman from warring families fall in love but are tragically doomed”) before they start studying it.
Reduced scripts can help to get students familiar with Shakespeare’s material. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has a broad range of these and other teaching resources that can be used in lesson plans.
Act it out
Shakespeare’s plays are designed to be acted out, but English teachers without access to drama studios and resources can feel limited in what they can deliver. While you don’t need to put on a full production, even reading scenes aloud can help students to think more deeply about the story and understand it as a performance. Beyond simply reading from the text, students can participate in ‘hot-seating’, where pupils take turns putting themselves in the shoes of a Shakespeare character and responding to questions about what they’ve done, what they’re thinking and how they feel towards other characters.
Make it relatable
Shakespeare enthusiasts – and English teachers – know that his work is full of complex characters, engaging plots and themes that are as relevant today as they were centuries ago. The challenge is conveying this to students.
Pick out key themes in the texts – such as jealousy and racism in Othello, ambition and corruption in Macbeth and love in Romeo and Juliet – and explore these both in the context of the plays and in modern life. Hamlet’s anguish, Othello’s jealousy and Romeo and Juliet’s powerful, passionate love will be recognised by young people the world over, and these themes can be found in modern literature, cinema and music – and indeed, personal lives. Encourage open conversation about these themes and how they are weaved into both Shakespeare’s plays and modern society.
Look for film interpretations
As the most adapted writer in recorded history, Shakespeare’s work has been interpreted hundreds of times. While some teachers may be reluctant to prescribe modern adaptations of his work, some students benefit enormously from seeing themes explored in a current context, complete with more modern language, recognisable actors and cinematic styling. The 1995 version of Othello features some great acting, while Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet is a modernised, stylised version of the eternal tale. If you can bear language changes and complete modernisation, 10 Things I Hate About You is a brilliant interpretation of The Taming of the Shrew, while purists will appreciate Kenneth Branagh in the 1996 interpretation of Hamlet.
Approach it from new angles
Encourage pupils to consider different points of view within stories and ask questions of them. What were Iago’s motives, and does he have any redeeming qualities? What does Desdemona think of Othello, and what is her relationship with Emilia based on?
You can also change your approach to how students absorb Shakespeare’s works. From No Fear Shakespeare – full original text with translations into modern English – and audio versions of plays through to the animated Shakespeare in Shorts series, there’s something for every style of learner. To ensure students understand and engage with plays, set tasks afterwards. This could include telling a play’s story through a one-page comic, learning how to write like Shakespeare and taking interactive quizzes.
Looking for your next English teaching job?
Put your Shakespeare teaching skills into practice with a new teaching job. Whether you’re looking to teach primary, secondary or as a teaching assistant, we could have the perfect role. Search for your next job now.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£30k - 50k per year
Location free text
Brentwood
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£300 - £399 per day
Sector
English
Location
Essex
Description
Are you a qualified English Teacher with SEN experience who is seeking a challenging and exciting new role? A speech and language SEN school based in Brentwood are looking for a fully qualified teache
Reference
BPbwoodSENTeacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Curt AustinAuthor
Curt AustinSalary
£28,000 - 43,685 per year
Location free text
Lyme Regis
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
English
Location
Dorset
Description
English TeacherLyme RegisJanuary startFull Time / PermanentTeaching Personnel are currently working with an inclusive secondary school in Lyme Regis who are looking to recruit a talented and effective
Reference
ETLYR12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Georgia HunkinAuthor
Georgia HunkinSalary
£120 - 130 per day
Location free text
Holsworthy
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
English
Location
Devon
Description
Teaching Personnel are recruiting an English Teacher. The ideal applicant will have a real passion for English and a desire to support students with their learning. Experienced, recently qualified, or
Reference
NT/ENGTCH/FW/23
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Victoria ColeAuthor
Victoria ColeSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Wolsingham
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
Durham
Description
English Tutor: WolsinhamTP Tutors are looking for an English tutor to support a secondary school in Wolsingham, 2 days per week, starting ASAP. Role: Tutor of English to students in groups of up to
Reference
RWJanEnglishWolsing2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lewis LaityAuthor
Lewis LaitySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD
Location free text
Darlington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
English
Location
Darlington
Description
Teacher of English - Darlington Are you a passionate and dedicated English Teacher with the desire to foster a love for literature and language in students? Teaching Personnel is currently recruiting
Reference
mmca32113
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Silvia DzudzovaAuthor
Silvia DzudzovaSalary
£120 - 180 per day
Location free text
Huddersfield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Huddersfield
Description
English Teachers NeededTeaching Personnel are supporting a Secondary School in Huddersfield who are looking for an English Teacher to support across KS3 and KS4. The role itself focuses on: Planning
Reference
SECTeacher-HB
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£120 - 220 per day
Location free text
Bradford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
English
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
English Teacher WantedBradford (BD5)We are currently looking for English Teachers to work at a partner school. We are constantly on the lookout for reliable, hardworking and enthusiastic teachers to h
Reference
English Teacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£80 - 140 per day
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Hull
Description
Title: Secondary English TeacherTeaching Personnel are looking for knowledgeable and enthusiastic people to work in a thriving Hull secondary school as an English Teacher. Helping Students and working
Reference
ASHULENG23G
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Laura ChesterAuthor
Laura ChesterSalary
£28,000 - 43,685 per year
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
English
Location
Manchester
Description
Are you a passionate and dedicated English teacher looking for an exciting opportunity to inspire young minds?We are currently seeking a qualified English teacher to join one of our partner schools in
Reference
614
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Robert JordanAuthor
Robert JordanSalary
£188 - 244 per day + PAYE
Location free text
Kensington & Chelsea
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Kensington and Chelsea
Description
Are you a fully qualified English teacher with experience teaching students up to GCSE level? Do you have a passion for working with children and developing their personal skills? If you answered yes
Reference
3011ENGSEC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Jack JohnsonAuthor
Jack JohnsonRelated posts

Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Being a Teaching Assistant (TA) is a rewarding and challenging role that requires a diverse skill set. One of the responsibilities of a TA is supporting the teacher in managing classroom behaviour eff
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Teaching is a noble profession that holds the power to shape young minds and inspire future generations. Many people find great joy and fulfilment in pursuing a career in education. One avenue within

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
There are around 295,000 teaching assistants (TAs) working in schools across England and Wales. Today, teaching assistants play a crucial role in supporting students and teachers. In 2022, TAs account
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job