From times
immemorial stories have been part of our intricate tapestry of beliefs and
behaviors as a culture, and as a people. Wisdom and knowledge of all kinds have
been passed on from generation to generation through word of mouth, through
stories. The power stories carry within them cannot be denied, or forgotten.
However, more
and more often we see how these stories that have been so very much a part of
our childhood run the risk of getting lost and being forgotten in a world that
is full of the latest technology; where we are always running after one thing
or another; where we as responsible adults, parents and educators have little
time to cater for needs which are not the basic ones. As I always say, we answer
the urgent call, but not always the important one.
This is
an invitation to bring back the stories we treasured as children, as parents,
as teachers and invite them into our classrooms once again.
All around the
world, and for several years now, there has been a revival of sorts related to
the importance of stories, and an appreciation for the value of storytelling as
a valid, powerful, effective and affective teaching and learning practice in
the classroom.
Particularly
in the case of our EFL classrooms, stories come as a useful, handy, authentic
and motivating resource. It is essential that all teachers, working with
learners of all levels of English and all ages understand this power, and take
the plunge to use stories in their classroom. After all, stories are the seeds
of life, and we are here to spread them and help them grow.
