Teaching English to young learners through storytelling

ABSTRACT This study analyses the role of storytelling in teaching English to young learners. The value of storytelling as a warm and safe environment to learn English is underlined. As young learners are familiar to stories, they will feel safe and be free of inhibitions. They are motivated and willing to participate when learning becomes enjoyable. This study is composed of six chapters and the first chapter is dedicated to explaining the purpose of the study. On the other hand, the second chapter aims to give an overview of the learners in question. First, Piaget, Vygotsky, Scott & Ytreberg and Keddle are cited to provide a detailed explanation of young learners and their characteristics. Then, the theories of learning styles, multiple intelligences and drama that are related to young learners are summarized. The third chapter introduces storytelling and its importance. Issues related to the selection of stories and the characteristics of a storyteller are also dealt with in this chapter. Additionally, a number of sample activities are given to demonstrate how this technique can be used in class. The fourth chapter serves as a guide to teachers who wish to use storytelling in their teaching. A sample lesson plan is proposed and applied to a group of students in An College. In Chapter five, the methodology, procedure and data collection techniques are described. The effects of the sample lesson plan are analysed with use of observation and interviews. The results of these data can also be found in this chapter. The last chapter includes conclusions drawn related to the study. The study has only one appendix which is the complete version of the story used for the sample storytelling lesson plan.