The aim of this diploma work is to show possibilities of a role play in teaching english, using different methods of drama in education, which leads pupils to deeper understanding and starting the work and its influence of pupil's experience and pupil's taking part in solving problems with the situation and remembering cognitive and emotional benefits of a role play afterwards to motivate pupils for next learning. This diploma work describes aims and methods of nowdays ways of teaching foreign languages, explains new trends in teaching young learners (primary school). It describes their psychological development in age 6 to 11 and try to explain how it has an influence in teaching languages at primary schools. It causes the main differences between teaching adults and young learners. Teaching languages through methods of drama in education brings different approach to teaching. It develops teaching in two levels - in cognitive knowledge and in emotional experiences.

In the Swedish school system, English is one of three core subjects that are mandatory to pass at the end of year 9 to be able to engage in further studies in high school. However, English is not introduced at the same time in all schools. In fact, primary schools in Sweden can choose freely (between age 6-10) when they want to start introducing English to their students. The main purpose of this paper is to disclose if starting English education at an earlier age results in higher student scores on the total score and the three different parts of the National Exam for English in year 6. The National Exam scores from 14 different schools were collected and compared. 7 schools that introduce English in year 1, and 7 schools who begin their English education in year 3. The results from the statistical tests show that there is a significant difference between the two groups at the total score, speaking, and receptive skills. The early starters performed better on all parts. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in writing.