Hello, Teachers!
Stories are powerful. They capture attention, create emotions, and help children connect with the world around them. In the English classroom, storytelling is more than entertainment – it’s a powerful method to build vocabulary, improve listening, and inspire speaking.
Why Use Storytelling in English Class?
- Builds Vocabulary Naturally
Students hear new words in context and remember them better. - Improves Listening Comprehension
Engaging stories hold children’s attention and encourage them to follow along. - Stimulates Speaking
Retelling, acting out, or even just reacting to a story helps students produce English. - Boosts Confidence and Creativity
Storytelling makes language feel real, fun, and achievable.
Types of Stories You Can Use
- Traditionalfairytales and folktales
- Short picture books with simple language
- Funny or surprising stories that spark reactions
- Original stories created together with your students!
How to Tell a Great Story in Class
- Start with a Hook
Use questions: “Have you ever seen a dragon?” or “Do you like chocolate cake?”
Thismakesstudentscurious. - Use Your Voice and Body
Change your tone. Act scared, excited, or happy. Usegestures and facialexpressions. - Repeat and Involve Students
Use repeated lines: “Oh no! What will he do now?” – and let kids join in. Repeatkeyvocabulary with gesturesorvisuals. - Ask Questions During the Story
“What do you think happens next?” – this keeps students active and thinking. - Add Simple Props
Even just a scarf, hat, or puppet can make the story more fun and easier to follow.
After the Story
- Retell in groupsorpairs
- Draw and describe the story
- Change the ending together! What if the wolf turned nice?
Language Focus Ideas
- Introduce key vocabulary before the story
- Use storyboards to help students sequence events
- Focus on simple sentence structures like:
“He goes to the house.” / “She is afraid.” / “It is a big dog.”
Final Thoughts
Storytelling transforms your classroom. It’s not just about learning English – it’s about sharing experiences, building imagination, and having fun. Start with just one short story and see the magic happen!