Storytelling

This week we have introduced storytelling in English teaching in Primary. To exploit the story, the teacher needs to act, mime, exaggerate, make use of voice, etc. So we can’t be very shy at that moment.

First, we have to introduce the story. That can be done talking about the cover, the drawings, the title, a character of the story in a drawing, an object, etc. We can also use the mystery box.

While telling the story teachers should also manage the group. If possible, it is better to split the class in two groups. One group can be listening in the multimedia room or in the computers, stories they already know and follow the listening while reading. In this way, students practise intonation, associate words with pronunciation, and obtain better comprehension of the story.

On the other hand, the other group need to be managed while they listen to the teacher. It is important to keep their attention during the reading. After the reading, or even during the reading, the teacher can ask questions to be sure students follow the story.

Questions after the reading should:

-          Develop students’ cognitive skills

-          Ask about their personal experience

-          Ask about the plot

-          Contain CLIL elements

Furthermore question should encourage participation and help develop their oral skills. Through stories, children develop understanding of themselves and the world around them. Storytelling is a class event which engages children’s interest, attention and imagination and develops their language skills. Children with different intelligences and learning styles like it. It also provides a framework for social skills and attitudes, such as active listening, collaborating, turn taking and respect for others.