Joan Kang Shin, lecturer in the education department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), answered questions in a June 7 USINFO Webchat on storytelling techniques and activities for young learners of English.

Following is the transcript:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs

Storytelling is an effective technique to capture the imaginations of young minds and improve students' language skills. Storytelling also can appeal to different senses and learning styles, and can be a wonderful way to connect cultures. Join Joan Kang Shin for a webchat exploring the use of storytelling to teach Young Learners of English (YLs). Shin will share and discuss storytelling techniques and activities for YLs and encourage webchat participants to explore the use of stories to integrate all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), promote critical thinking, teach vocabulary and grammar, and most of all, make English-language learning come alive for YLs.