Adults from every national background can enjoy professional performing art classes and improve their communication skills following the launch of new part-time courses at ISLaD in Stoke Newington.

The Interactive School of Language and Drama opened its doors in October 2009 with Accent on Acting, the programme of monthly workshops that combines Acting, Voice and Movement sessions all in one single day of intensive training, promoting a holistic approach to language and communication.

Part-time courses started in April with programmes developed from theatre forms born in Brazil, Italy, Russia and USA. ISLaD's teaching staff, a team of professionals who also lecture at universities and colleges in London and Europe, has joined forces to bring the highest standards of education outside institutional settings.

To encourage cultural awareness through theatre, ISLaD also works in partnership with colleges and community groups, creating customised programmes to help new Londoners to develop their unique communication style and improve their linguistic skills.

The choice of subjects includes Introductory and Intermediate acting courses, Voice and Accent Reduction classes, one of the few specialist Commedia dell' Arte courses currently running in Britain and a class on Devised Theatre where participants develop plays from their own personal experiences.

Students enjoy the learning activities and the international creative atmosphere. Silvia Torres, 32, from Brazil, said about Accent on Acting: 'I had a great experience and discovered new ways to learn about myself and others. It was revealing'. Serdar Argun, 24, from Turkey, commented on the Voice class: 'As a non-native English speaker I have to work harder on my pronunciation and this space is very good to explore common mistakes and try to correct them improving fluidity. It is really good fun, very interesting practice and enormously useful'.

Weekly classes on Tuesday and Thursday at Café Mostra, 86 Stoke Newington High Street

Workshops on Saturday at Newington Dance Space, Studio 4, 231 Church Street,

Info: www.islad.org

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T. 020 8986 3721

M. 07946 347 631