STORYTELLING and the

ART of TEACHING

E. Martin Pedersen (1995)

Storytelling is the original form of

teaching.
Why would you use stories in the class?
Learners experience the powerful real language
of personal communication.
Stories present the full range of language.
Stories develop listening skills in a unique way
(non-polished speech created on-the-spot).

Children develop a sense of structure for future

exposure to literature.
Exposure to cultural heritage: values, fears,
hopes, and dreams.

A story session is a time to share

feelings.
The primary purpose of storytelling: nurturing of the
spirit.
It gives the teacher and students the chance of building
mutual confidence.
Stories are brought to life by AN INDIVIDUALS
PERFORMANCE.
Storytellers must know their personal strengths and
develop their OWN UNIQUE STYLE.
The building materials: WORDS, SOUNDS, and
LANGUAGE PATTERNS.
The tools: the VOICE, FACE, and HANDS.
The product: the creation of a shared human experience
based on words and imagination.

What do you do when you decide you

WANT to tell a story in your class?
Selection:
Learners need
Read!
Choose a story you like (meaningful to you)
Choose an appropriate story for you learners
likes, age and language level.
Avoid complicated structures with long
explanations, descriptions or flashbacks.
Study the storys background (cultural, social,
historical information)

Preparation:
Learn the story:
Read it many times;
Read it aloud!
Master the structure;
Note any unusual expression; original, unique building blocks.

Outline the story:

Dont memorize word by word, but incident by incident.

Control the length:

Dont be afraid to simplify it but not excessively.
Time yourself during practice.

Control vocabulary:
Rich vocabulary gives the story colour and texture.

Be ready to paraphrase!

Define your style:

Your voice is your instrument: exercise, train, change it!

Practice!

Presentation:
Start on the right foot: give any essential information for
understanding.
Be your best self: try not to reveal nervousness.
Concentrate on your voice:
The audience must hear you loudly and clearly!
Play with prosodic and paralinguistic features!

Maintain eye contact!

Use your hands and body.
Use props sparingly.
Pay attention to the physical setting (if you can ):
Standing up: freedom to move around.
Sitting down: better eye contact.
Semicircle: more intimacy.

The storyteller is always a

teacher,
and the teacher is always a
storyteller.

Hands on!
In pairs, read the extract from the
film Miss Potter (2006), The rabbits
Christmas party, and mark any
particular part where you would
choose to use special prosodic and
paralinguistic features which are
typical of storytelling.