Abstract:
To develop a use of speech improvement program for early childhood teachers by using drama techniques which based on dramatic art as aesthetics and ethics which aimed at raising human consciousness. The experimental group was 14 preschool and grade 1-2 teachers from Taurak School. The control group was 14 preschool and grade 1-2 teachers from Wanswangchit Shool. A speech performance test was done before and after the program field test. Evaluation of the program satisfaction was done by unstructured interviews with teachers. The research findings were as follows: 1. After the field test, the ability of speech articulation and sound level of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at .05 level. The ability of speech fluency of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of before at .05 level, but not significantly different from those of the control group. 2. All the teachers viewed the program as most satisfactory. The program covered practices both in drama workshop and classroom. There are 4 main activities, i.e., articulation and oral interpretation, storytelling, poetry storytelling with gesture, and puppetry. The practice emphasized improvisation, and creation of atmosphere by scene, light, color and sound, and props used in drama rehearsal.