4 Stories offer an effective way of introducing new language, making it meaningful and memorable. 6 Stories have a natural role to play in cross curricular work. In a story there can be a range of geographical, historical, sociological and cultural information. Activities arising out of stories might range from a study of foods in the Hungry Caterpillar story for young learners to a study of hubris in the story of Bellerophon and Pegasus for the most advanced students. 7 Stories are a distinctive manifestation of cultural values and perceptions.
Stories invite reflection on values and culture.
For example there are hundreds of variations of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Making and telling stories requires the students to organise information into a cohesive and coherent whole in order to communicate to other people and develops the students' ability to sustain a monologue 9 Making and telling stories develops in the students a heightened sense and awareness of English due to familiarity with sustained texts 10 Stories invite empathy and sharing between students in class and later between the students and other users of English they meet. 11 Stories and metaphors are the classic way of explaining something. To able to use stories and metaphors fluently, appropriately and naturally is one mark of an accomplished speaker and writer. The language class offers an opportunity to develop this ability.