Quick Story-telling

1. Teachers introduce the activity in advance (day before, or before a break), so students are given time
to think of a good story from their life.

2. Teachers demonstrate by telling the class an interesting short story from their own life.

3. Teachers have students brainstorm ideas for an interesting story from their life. Assist by handing out a
list of suggestions to each student which include:

o a funny thing that happened when you were young

o a time you got really lucky

o an embarrassing moment

o the best day of your life

o a successful sports story

o a romantic date

o an adventure while travelling

o a vacation memory

o a lesson learned

o an interesting dream/nightmare
4. Have students write down their name and a title for their story on the handout.

5. Pair students off.

6. Explain the rules of the activity:

▪ In pairs, tell your partner your story (no longer than 2 minutes each)
▪ After the stories are told, exchange handouts with your partner
▪ Rotate partners according to teacher’s instruction
▪ This time students will tell their old partners story, using the title and memory only.

7. Ask check questions to make sure everyone understands the activity:

Q: After telling the story, what should you do?

A: exchange handouts

Q: After changing partners, which story should you tell, the one about yourself, or the one from the
sheet of paper in your hand?

A: the one from the sheet in your hand