The Purposes of Storytelling
Storytelling is a basic form of communication. We tell stories and anecdotes every day. Young children especially love listening to stories. Pupils can understand the flow of the stories told by simply listening to the teacher. Through storytelling, pupils
1. understand the structure of stories
2. develop skills in listening for meanings
3. understand and respond to characters' experiences
4. learn how to talk about their own experiences and imaginative ideas
Techniques and tips
1. Voice and sound: Make sure your voice is loud and clear. Explore different ways of using your voice for different roles, emotions, etc. Practise the art of the pause — to create suspense, to underline an image, to invite a laugh.
2. Props: Use simple and fancy props to help telling your story. Be creative with the objects you use, whether it is a stuffed toy for an animal, a box for a cave, or a ribbon for a river. You can even involve pupils to develop props with you for a role-play.
3. Gestures: Experience with your gestures, but don't use big actions or be very dramatic. Each story offers different possibilities for gestures, and each storyteller has his/her own approach. The key is to do what works for you and be natural.
4. Repetition and audience participation: Notice any gestures or repeated phrases in the story. These are the clues for inviting audience participation. Have pupils repeat those gestures or phrases with you. If there is a song or a chant that you can use in the story, invite pupils to sing with you. Repetition in a story helps to involve your audience to take part in the storytelling.
5. Practice makes perfect: Practise your story and rehearse it for a few times in front of a mirror or an audience. All skills need time to develop and improve. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. The more you do it, the better you would become. A sense of humour and of timing in telling a story will also grow with practice.
6. A good heart: The two very important tools of a storyteller are warmth and sensitivity. To tell a story that pupils would love, one needs to be warm and sensitive to them. Learn to respond to your audience and you will experience the same in return. |
