The art of storytelling.
It is the oldest skill we have — and one of the most useful in English. Get students sharing, shaping and inventing tales of their own.
Warm-up · ask three
- What’s the last great story you heard or read?
- Are you a good storyteller? Be honest.
- Happy endings or sad endings — which do you prefer?
Once upon a time…
Let's talk
Discussion questions
Project the generator and let it cold-call a question. Filter by level, then give a student 60 seconds to talk. Browse the full decks below.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
Stories you love
- What's your favorite story or book?A2
- Who's the best storyteller you know — author, friend, anyone?A2
- What makes a story interesting to you?A2
- Happy endings or sad endings — and why?A2
- Do you prefer action, humor, or emotion in a story?B1
Deck 2
What makes it work
- What makes a character memorable?B1
- Do you enjoy plot twists, or like to see the ending coming?B1
- How important is the setting of a story?B1
- Do you prefer true stories or fiction? Why?B1
- What's the difference between a good story and a great one?B2–C1
Deck 3
Ways to tell stories
- Books, movies, or games — which tells stories best?B1
- Can a song tell a story? Can you think of one?B1
- Are comics and graphic novels "real" storytelling?B1
- How is telling a story out loud different from writing it?B2–C1
- What do you think of stories told on TikTok or Instagram?B2–C1
Deck 4
Your own stories
- What's the best story you've ever told?B1
- Do you tell personal stories, or retell ones you've heard?B1
- Are there stories from your family or culture you love?B1
- What makes someone a good storyteller, in your opinion?B1
- Do you add lots of detail, or keep it short and simple?B1
Deck 5
Big questions
- Why do humans tell stories at all?B2–C1
- Can a good story change someone's mind?B2–C1
- Are we losing the art of storytelling in the age of short videos?B2–C1
- Should every story have a message?B2–C1
- Is everyone the hero of their own story?B2–C1
Talk for longer
Useful language
Give students the phrases to open, build and land a story. Pre-teach a handful, then challenge them to slip three into the discussion or the game.
Sentence starters
Scaffolding for A2–B1 — finish the sentence in your story.
Beginning a story
Moving it along
Adding drama
Reacting to a story
Words & phrases
Collocations to upgrade B1–C1 speaking.
to describe the situation at the start
"Let me set the scene for you."
the central person in a story
"The main character is a young girl."
a surprising turn in the story
"And then came the plot twist."
suddenly and unexpectedly
"Out of the blue, the lights went out."
a tense, unresolved ending
"She ended on a cliffhanger."
so exciting you can't look away
"It was an absolutely gripping tale."
to make a story feel vivid and real
"She really brings every story to life."
Story-mood word bank
Quick words to set the tone of a tale.
Classroom game
Story Dice
Roll the four story dice for a character, a place, an object and a twist. The first student starts the tale; each player adds a sentence. Roll a fresh twist whenever the story needs a jolt.
Character
a talking crow
Place
an old library
Object
a rusty key
Twist
all the lights go out
How to play: Roll, then go round the class building one story together — a sentence each, all four elements must appear. Stuck or getting boring? Hit New twist only to throw in a surprise and keep it alive.
Model dialogue
Nadia & Felix swap stories
Read it together, notice the highlighted phrases, then act it out — and finally build a story of your own.
Late at night, the last two awake. One of them clears their throat.
Okay, my turn. Let me set the scene — it's midnight, the house is completely empty…
Oh, I love a good scary story. Go on.
So I'm home alone, and out of the blue, I hear footsteps upstairs.
No way. What did you do?
I grabbed a flashlight and crept up the stairs. And then — here's the plot twist —
Don't you dare stop there!
It was the cat. It had knocked a box right off the shelf.
That's the worst cliffhanger ever! I genuinely thought it was a ghost.
That's the trick, isn't it? A good story keeps you guessing.
True. You really bring it to life, though — I was gripped.
Years of practice. My grandad was the best storyteller I knew.
Mine too. Okay — my turn. This one's actually true…
Now I'm nervous.
Good. You should be.
Now build a story together
Student A · the dreamer
You bring the imagination
Wild characters, strange places, impossible events. Your job is to make the story surprising and full of life.
Student B · the editor
You keep it together
You make sure it still makes sense. You ask "but why?" and "what happens next?" and help shape a real ending.
Your mission
- Agree on a main character and where the story begins.
- Add a problem and one surprising twist.
- Decide how it ends — happy, sad, or a cliffhanger.
- Tell your story to the class in 60 seconds — use at least three phrases from the Useful language section.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Pick one prompt to finish in class or as homework. Every option turns the talking into a story on the page.
01
Write about a time you told a story that everyone enjoyed. What was it, and how did you tell it?
02
Invent a main character. What are they like, and what challenge do they face?
03
Write about a story that's been passed down in your family. Why does it matter to you?
04
Describe a story you think everyone should hear. What message does it carry?
05
Write a short story about an unusual event — real or imagined. How does it end?
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student answers in one sentence — and makes the ordinary sound extraordinary.
"In one sentence, tell us the story of your day — and make it sound exciting."