Role of Storytelling in Developing English Proficiency
Language-communication is a vital part of learning communication. Learners constantly acquire new words, phrases, and aptitudes as they develop their communication skills. Furthermore, learners develop their communication abilities through an environment that promotes speech or oral fluency and comprehension. As such, storytelling is a vital aspect of improving verbal communication skills.
To become truly proficient in a language, learners need to seek opportunities to use the language through real-life activities. This includes getting involved in various storytelling events, which puts learners in an upbeat mood, motivating them to communicate more effectively to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency even under challenging situations.
Importance of storytelling
Since the dawn of time, stories have been used as a way to pass on beliefs and traditions from one generation to the next. They say a picture is worth a thousand words; sometimes a story is too!
Educators should consider several factors when selecting stories for the classroom. The stories chosen should appeal to their students, be appropriate for their purpose, and provide opportunities to practice the language. Storytelling serves as a practical educational resource because of the engaging and captivating nature of the activities. Words can be strengthened by using a variety of sentences to make a story. It provides children with the opportunity to have fun while practicing their English. It helps develop language skills, learn English words and expressions, refine their speaking and listening skills, and practice reading aloud.
Here’s how storytelling can help develop English proficiency:
- The purpose of storytelling is to enable children to enjoy hearing English in a dynamic and often stylistic way. It is very participatory and immersive, giving the children an awareness of rhythm and structure. In addition, storytelling can be a very effective method for introducing new vocabulary and phrases.
- Accustomed to short bursts of language in the classroom, students are hungry for more stories. As they listen to you include some details about characters or setting or give some background information on context, they become motivated to do the same thing when speaking in English.
- When children tell stories in English, they learn to describe intonation patterns, natural expressions, phrasing, and interactions between indigenous speakers. For older young learners, the activity gives them practice retelling stories or paraphrasing or rewording them.
- The use of stories also allows young learners to link their reading experiences in the classroom to those at home. For example, students have books at home, which can be read with a parent or other family member. In addition, the child can identify household vocabulary, which will ease the understanding of the English language within their household.
- Storytelling is one way that teachers can inspire language learning through discussion and activities. Moreover, parents can help their children at home by reading stories in English, especially ones with interesting characters who do unexpected things or someone who solves a problem.
Upskilling teachers
A key factor to ensuring that learning loss does not have far-reaching effects is well-designed training programs for educators. Teachers, Anganwadi workers, and other educators lie at the heart of early childhood education. Simply put, we need to upskill our educators to use appropriate 21st-century skills, such as song, dance, and storytelling, among others, systemically and inclusively to improve the quality of learning imparted to our nation’s young learners.
Adding storytelling tactics to a teacher’s established array of teaching skills can boost student engagement and retention of their material. Through committed practice, teachers can become master storytellers in their own right, expressing content in their own unique voices and helping a whole new generation of little learners achieve their full potential.
Square Panda India’s programs focus on the art and strategy of using exciting stories to help students understand new concepts at a deeper level. Our programs give teachers a solid foundation in delivering joyful education that engages and connects with students and inspiring change that impacts communities.
