| Add These Suggestions to Your "Bag of Tricks" | | | | fable they know. If it originates from a local culture, it |
| Inherently, most people really do like to talk. That | | | | could be quite interesting for you too and is an |
| includes your English language learners too, although | | | | excellent way to help to delve more deeply into the |
| sometimes you have to literally pry the speech from | | | | local or national culture. |
| their frozen lips by any means necessary. Have you | | | | 4. Re-Tell a Fairy Tale |
| tried using comedy, anecdotes, stories and fairy tales | | | | The most popular fairy tales, in practically any country, |
| to lure them into speaking activities? If not, consider | | | | are often ones you heard or learned as a child. Allow |
| adding these five suggestions to your English or | | | | your English language learners to try their hand at |
| foreign language teaching "bag of tricks". | | | | telling or re-telling these fairy tales in English using their |
| 1. Tell an Anecdote | | | | own words, idioms, expressions and language skills to |
| Everyone has a personal store of humorous stories, | | | | do so. They needn't stick to the "original" version either. |
| happenings or anecdotes that they're willing to tell. With | | | | A change of endings, modified characters and plot |
| learners and teachers alike, many of these might even | | | | twists are most welcome, thank you very much. |
| originate in the EFL classroom. Family, friends, romantic | | | | 5. Tell a Joke |
| interludes and vacation travels can also account for a | | | | Who doesn't enjoy humor? Everyone knows a few |
| number of these. | | | | good jokes or a joker or two who can give you a few |
| 2. Tell a Story | | | | good jokes to tell. Go onto the internet for a slew of |
| In many countries there is a tradition of passing down | | | | these. Check out your local library for collections of |
| stories, fables and history through a series of verbal | | | | riddles, jokes and humorous stories that might be used |
| sessions by "Griots", or village story-tellers. Your | | | | to stimulate speaking practice in English class. Did you |
| learners may well a few of these they're willing to | | | | hear the one about ... |
| share before the class. Why not open up this option to | | | | So if you haven't tried using comedy, anecdotes, |
| them? There's no problem either, with using a few | | | | stories and fairy tales to lure your English language |
| small, well-chosen props to aid in the story telling | | | | learners and reluctant students into speaking activities |
| exercise. | | | | consider adding these five suggestions to your English |
| 3. Narrate a Fable | | | | or foreign language teaching "bag of tricks". |
| It's not only children who love stories, fairy tales and | | | | Remember, if you have any further questions, |
| fables. Whether the origin is European, African, Latin | | | | comments or assistance, just e-mail me. I'll be happy to |
| American or Asian, your learners can try their hand at | | | | help. |
| relating a well-known, or not so well-known, story or | | | | |