What happens when you step away from traditional coursebooks and dive headfirst into three days of performative language teaching? You end up in a space where creativity, vulnerability, and genuine care take center stage.
At the end of July, I had the joy of participating in the 4th edition of the PAInt (Performative Approaches to Language and Intercultural Learning) International Summer School, organized by the Universities of Perugia and Padova at the Centro Linguistico di Ateneo (CLA). Perugia set a fantastic backdrop for the gathering- a vibrant hilltop town steeped in history, where medieval alleys lead to lively piazzas full of energy. The university’s warm hospitality made us feel completely at home from the moment we arrived.
Moving, Trusting, and Creating Together
Rooted in establishing the legitimacy of drama in second/foreign language education across modern languages, the summer school tackled big questions around the “ethical imagination” and balancing creativity with fear in safe, brave spaces.
Across the three days, we were guided through a rich tapestry of performative practices without ever feeling bogged down in rigid plans:
- Fiona Dalziel (Università di Padova) led us in The Quilt: Embodying Local Belonging(s), where we wove sensory memories of “belonging” into abstract tableaux, dynamic rumor-building, and collective storytelling around a mystery patchwork quilt. The experience was a personal eye-opener: while our group politely debated and reworked our tableau three times (moving from roots, to balance, and finally a spiral!), I realized just how at home I feel navigating creative labyrinths- and how quickly I pivot to physical action when verbal discussions stall!
- Filippo Fonio and Anna Taglietti (Université Grenoble Alpes) brought focus to Didactic-Performative Approaches to Translingual Female Memory, guiding us through identity, disempowerment, and re-empowerment. We explored multilingual identity using simple props like suitcases, hot-seating, and rapid-fire group performances.
- Vittoria Corallo (Performer & Drama Facilitator) invited us into Within the Choral Body, exploring relational intelligence and the inner communication between bodies and space through silent breath circles, blind trust walks, and synchronized movement.
- Erika Piazzoli (Trinity College Dublin) closed the event with Negotiating Creativity, Courage and Care in Process Drama: The Legend of the Brave Snails, based on Julia Donaldson’s Superworm. Taking on the physical role of the snail’s shell- relying entirely on peripheral vision and total trust in my partner- was an unforgettable rush. I felt an electric surge of energy, a mix of fear, joy, and surprise, that vividly reminded me what our language learners feel when we ask them to step into the unknown.
Reflection, Zines, and Human Connection
What made PAInt so special wasn’t just the activities, but the intentional space carved out for reflection. We weren’t just collecting techniques for a teaching folder; we were constantly invited to pause and check in with ourselves. On our final day, we synthesized our journey by creating reflective zines: folding paper, sketching, writing, and turning our raw takeaways into mini handmade books to capture the experience.
💡 Curious about using zines for your own reflective practice? Check out this beginner-friendly guide on how to make an 8-page mini zine from a single sheet of paper.
Events like PAInt have a magical way of making the world feel much smaller. It’s where you cross paths again with dear friends you met at events on another corner of the planet, while effortlessly building new friendships along the way. You leave richer on every single level- professionally, academically, personally, and humanely.
PAInt was a powerful reminder that when we balance high creative stakes with genuine care, we build spaces where both teachers and learners can drop their defenses and truly connect.
If you’ve ever experimented with process drama or reflective zines in your own teaching journey, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to reach out via the contact page or connect with me over on social media.