Foundations of Drama: For EFL University Students

Abstract

Foundations of Drama: For EFL University Students introduces drama and theater through close reading of scripts and evidence-based interpretation of performance. Designed for EFL university students worldwide, it assumes no previous university course in the subject and supports technical learning with clear B2-oriented academic English. Fifteen chapters examine dramatic action and structure, character and relationships, dialogue and subtext, language and theme, setting and performance space, acting and directing, and stage design. Further chapters explore audience response, dramatic irony and suspense, tragedy and comedy, realism and nonrealist forms, historical and cultural contexts, global drama, translation and adaptation, comparison of plays and productions, and analytical writing and discussion. A central distinction is between what a script establishes and what a production adds. Worked examples and guided tasks help students support interpretive choices, compare alternatives, and recognize evidential limits. Chapter roadmaps, review infographics, five Practice and Apply tasks per chapter, short quizzes, and complete explained answers support classroom teaching and independent study. A glossary, subject index, sources, and optional reading suggestions support review. The book is intended for approximately 35–45 classroom contact hours, with flexible pacing. This Literary Studies volume belongs to English Language Studies for EFL University Students. First Edition, Version 1 (2026). Project Director: Prof. Munassir Alhamami, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. Developed with assistance from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and NotebookLM; the Project Director is responsible for final editorial decisions. The complete digital edition is free. Original content is licensed under CC BY 4.0 except where otherwise stated; credited third-party material remains subject to its stated terms. Series website: https://sites.google.com/view/els4efl/home AI-use disclosure: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and NotebookLM assisted with research, drafting, revision, visual development, and production of this textbook. ChatGPT Image generated the new cover artwork and the illustrated components of the 32 roadmaps and infographics; exact labels were typeset separately, cover typography was composed in editable SVG, and the original diagrams were restyled with editable vector graphics. The Project Director, Munassir Alhamami, is responsible for the final editorial decisions and released version.