Once upon a Time: Using Stories in the Language Classroom (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) by John Morgan


Once upon a Time: Using Stories in the Language Classroom (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers)
Title : Once upon a Time: Using Stories in the Language Classroom (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0521272629
ISBN-10 : 9780521272629
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 132
Publication : First published January 1, 1983

Stories can provide a highly motivating, engaging and realistic source of genuine language interaction in the classroom. They are 'living language' in which the teacher (or student storyteller) becomes the source of language, and the listeners are actively involved in understanding.

The authors argue from experience that almost everyone can tell stories convincingly, especially given an outline to work from. A very wide range of these outlines, from many cultures and sources, are provided.

These can be used by the teacher as a resource for a variety of activities for students from beginner to advanced levels, including listening comprehension, grammar practice, oral production and fluency practice, but above all for exposure to real spoken language.

Once upon a Time: Using Stories in the Language Classroom (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) Reviews

  • Jane

    I wish that I could give this book five stars and tell you that it changes everything for me in my EFL classroom.

    The fact is, it doesn't. Because I have work to do. I can't even manage the excitement level in the room long enough to keep Clement from chasing Sami or Theo from shouting all the responses til he's red in the face, let alone swing into some innovative story telling.

    That said, I love the idea, and, should I be in the language teaching circle long enough, will surely use it later on.

    I've read one other of Mario's language books and enjoyed it as well. He seems a controversial figure in the field, mostly because his ideas are solid, clear, and without apology. Perhaps I'll venture to label him, at large, a humanist. Though I'm sure he wouldn't like that.

    His writing is clear, concise, and very present. Reading through this text is quite pleasant, as it feels as though you are having a conversation with him. Very dressed down, very real. And his ideas are original and adaptable. Thus, even the greenest of us who have much to learn about group dynamics can still learn some interesting things.