How to tell short stories to the 6th graders in Haiphong

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
PART I: INTRODUCTION 1
1. Rationale 1
2. Aims of the study 3
3. Scope of the study 3
4. Method of the study 4
5. Design of the study 4
PART II: DEVELOPMENT 6
CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 6
1. English short stories 6
1.1. English short stories_ some concepts to overview 7
1.2. Characteristics of English short stories 8
2. Classification of English short stories 9
2.1. Folktale 9
2.2. Fairy tale 10
2.3. Myths 11
2.4. Legend 11
2.5. Fable 12
3. Story-telling 12
4. Story-telling in education 13
5. How to become an attractive story-teller 16
CHAPTER II: STUDY ON LEARNING AND TEACHING ENGLISH AT
SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HAI PHONG CITY 22
I. Reality 22
1. Teachers 22
2. Students 22
3. Learning and teaching condition 23
4. The design and focus of English text book 6 24
II. Survey questionnaire 26

1. Method of survey 26
2. Objectives of survey 27
3. Data analysis 27
3.1. Surveyed students’ general attitudes towards English 27
3.2. The importance of story-telling in improving English 29
3.3. The current situation of story-telling in English lesson: 30
3.3.1. The frequency 30
3.3.2. Time spent on story-telling 30
3.3.3. The techniques and methods in use 32
3.3.4. The expectation towards story-telling in improving skills 35

CHAPTER III: STORY-TELLING PERIOD IN AN ENGISH LESSON 39
I. Story-telling_ an effective consolidation activity 39
II. Techniques in telling stories for the 6th graders 40
1. Pre_ story-telling 40
2. While_ story-telling 43
2.1. Stories plays with picture 43
2.2. Stories plays with hand puppets 46
2.3. Multi-voice story-telling 49
2.4. Interactive extratextual 51
3. Post_ story-telling 52
3.1. Grammar and vocabulary updated 53
3.2. Information recalling 54
3.3. Creative story-telling 56
PART III: CONCLUSION 59
APPENDICE
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

During the process of fulfilling my graduation paper, I have owned my debt to
many people. First and most of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs.
Nguyen Thi Huyen, MA, my supervisor, for her guidance, great suggestion and
advice in each step of the study. Without her precious comment, academic
instructions and wholehearted help, my research would have never been
accomplished.
Also, my sincere thanks is extended to all teachers in Foreign Language
Department, Hai Phong Private University for their useful lectures and
suggestions.
Besides, my special thanks send to all teachers and students at secondary
schools for their enthusiasm in finishing the survey questionnaires.
Last but not least, I am grateful to my family and friends who have given me
much encouragement during the time I carried out this paper.
Hai Phong, June, 2009
Student
Vu Thuy Dung

PART I: INTRODUCTION


1. Rationale
A developed society is a society of which there is not only a developed
economy, a stable politics but also a scientific and progressive education. And it
is true that the scientists, economists or politicians they all had a good
educational background or they all were well-educated. Those days, education
plays an important role in developing country, mainly in developing human
forces.

In the 21
st
century, the countries all over the world are tending to develop basing
on international cooperation and for Viet Nam, the event of joining to WTO in
2007 indicated a new stage of development. However, this also raised an issue
that foreign language education should be taken seriously in which English is
the most popular language in use. It is the fact that students become more and
more intelligent, active, creative, motivated in learning foreign language, so
getting a successful and attractive English lesson is always everyday- wish of all
teachers of English. All these factors make me think about an idea that English
lesson should be renewed and made more lively by using others techniques;
methods from outside resources_ materials, of course still ensure the content of
textbook and curriculum.

Therefore, in this graduation paper I would to further study about one method to
consolidating English lesson, that is telling English short stories to students,
especially the 6
th
graders in Hai Phong city where I am living and studying. Not

only children but adult as well are interested in stories. Stories reflect the real
life through characters and their relationships, situations, conflict, and solution.
A good story can attract reader from beginning to an end. Each story has its own
setting, plot, process…and it will stay in readers’ mind in different impress. As a
result, reading stories can not only enrich human spiritual life but also create
a positive habit. And it is one of the most critical purposes of applying story-
telling in education, especially in English lessons.
Story-telling to children is a social practice and it positively related to their
future linguistic and academic development. The frequency of story-telling by
adult to children during school years is positively associated with children’s
language development and school progress. Reading to children has been a
typical form of social interaction between adults and children. During the
process of reading stories, adults do not simply read but often describe
pictures, name objects, explain facts, ask children questions, and associate
stories with children’s experiences. Thus, they create a context that enhances
children’s development and promotes linguistic and intellectual development,
beyond what children can achieve by themselves. On the other hand, their
active involvements in telling stories is instrumental in first-language learning
and make children familiar with language which is essential to literacy.

Learning foreign language is completely not easy. The more practical the
lessons are, the more effectively students can study. Apart from the lesson
given in the textbook, consolidation activities are really necessary. And telling
English short stories can be one of them with many benefits. The teachers can
use stories as teaching materials in terms of grammar structures, vocabulary,
and the ways the natives use proverbs or idioms… and the students learn
much from stories: the way the characters make dialogue to each other, or the
moral summarized… Telling stories can help students to practice the ability to
present in front of many other people. So far by applying story-telling in
English lessons, learning and teaching English will become more and more

interesting and effective.

From my point of view, story-telling is rather new in education program at
many secondary schools in Hai Phong city. However, during my study, I
found that it can possibly affect on the students’ ability of gaining knowledge
and practicing many skills which are very necessary in using English as a
mean of communication.

2. Aims of the study
The main goal of this research is to provide some suggested techniques for
story-telling in an English lesson of 6
th
form to make them more interested in
lesson as well as master gained knowledge of that lesson. In order to reach
that aim, the specific objects of the study are:
 To study and analyze story-telling, its roles in a lesson and the benefits
it can bring about, and some techniques for teachers to apply.
 To get to know the reality and condition of learning and teaching
English at some secondary schools in Hai Phong city with specific
figures and facts and currently techniques in used for story-telling to
the students.
 To provide some typical techniques and methods for story-telling in
English lesson including suggestions and application examples for
teachers.

3. Scope of the study
As mentioned in the aim of the study, this research probably focus of story-
telling to 6th graders, so all the study as well as the application must be
concentrate on this target learners. However, English short story is rather
wide-ranged, so in this graduation paper I want to focus on folktales and

fables along with attractive techniques and of course applying to the material
of 6th graders. The folktales and fables were written about animals act like
human being, and they live in the world of wonder and magic. They all have a
single, short and simple plot. Basing on the characteristics of folktale and
fable, the teacher (the story-teller) can find out the best way to tell the stories
that best suit the 6th graders’ mind as well as their degree.
The 6th graders_ the children at the age of 11, their way of thinking is very
simple and sensitive. So far the more simple the technique are, the more they
can learn and practice. Listening to stories can be a vivid creative experience.
Most of a story told takes place in the imagination of listener. Through the
magic language and the story-teller’s skill, stories can come to life with
landscape and costumes as colorful and complex as the creative listener
devise.

4. Methods of study
 Collected references, book, magazines, websites related to teaching
English, especially story-telling in education to form the theoretical
background.
 A survey questionnaire was conducted for students of 6
th
graders and
teachers of English at some secondary schools in Hai Phong city. The
information from which has provided invaluable.
 Suggestions and experience from my supervisor Ms. Nguyen Thi
Huyen, M.A, other teachers and my understanding at Hai Phong Private
University and gained experience in training course.

5. Design of the study
My study consists of three parts: Introduction, Development, and Conclusion

Part 1: Introduction indicates the reason to choose the study, the aims,
scope, methods and design of the study

Part 2: Development include three chapters
Chapter 1: Theoretical background presents the concepts of English short
story, classification of short stories, story-telling, aims and roles of story-
telling in education as well as some guide-lines to become a good story-teller.
Chapter 2: The study on learning and teaching English at some secondary
schools in Hai Phong city refers to the survey questionnaire and analyzed
finding of the questions’ results
Chapter 3: Story-telling_ an effective consolidation activity provides some
typical techniques and examples for teachers to apply basing on the design
and focus of English textbook 6 as well as the degree of the 6
th
graders.

Part 3: Conclusion summarizes the discussed parts and some suggestions for
further study.

PART II: DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND


1. English short stories

Andrew Sanders has marked in “The short Oxford history of English
literature”, 2002, p.10: “English literature is a collection of works of art
that reflects the development of the UK’s society in every fields. From the
Middle Age to the 20

th
century is a long period for English literature to
develop and bring about thousands of brilliant authors and works.”

Mentioning English literature, we have a diversified of genre, such as:
story, novel, science fiction, poem, drama….Each genre has its own
characteristics and ways to communicate with readers or audiences. Phases
to phases, English literature develops more and more, along with this is the
number of author and works. One of the audiences that literature tends to
is children who access literature with their imagination and love for
everything surrounded and even life. A lot of authors who spent all their
life to write for children, like Andersen, Brother Grim…, their name and
their works live with history and time forever.

Stories for children not only interest children themselves but also adult
who had chance to live with stories’ lives. Simple setting, plot, characters,
dialogue or monologue, lively lesson with plenty of pictures that make
stories more and more attractive and interesting to children.

As we all know that, children can easily gain information or knowledge
through images, pictures, games and mostly stories. Short stories and
story-telling activity are considered to apply to English lesson at school.
Before coming to detail, there should be some understanding about
English short story.

English short stories – Some concepts to overview:

As one of literature’s genres, short stories are very popular with not only
adult but children as well. To study further more about short story, firstly
let’s consider what is short story. There are some of points of view about
short story, including:

- Edgar Allan Poe, in his essay “The Philosophy of Composition” (1846),
said that: “A short story is fictional work of prose that is shorter in length
than novel.”
- “ A short story is a short piece of fiction aiming at unity of
characterization, theme and effect” ( By Mini Rothschild – “ Story for
kids”, 1998)
- “ The short story is a piece of art that tries to give us a specified
impression of the world we live in. It aims to produce a single narrative
effect with the greatest economy of means and utmost emphasis” (
according to Sara Cone Bryant – “ How to tell stories to children and some
stories to tell”- University of Virginia Library, 2000: 67)

In short, from these above ideas we have a final concept of short story:
short story is a short work of fiction with narrative format, in which the
theme, plot, setting and characterization are unity at the aim of creating the
most communicative effect, as well as make its own difference from the
other genres.

Story that always has introduction of setting, conflict and then solution.
However they are more simple than long story or novel. Let’s go to more
specific characteristics of short story.

1.2. Characteristics of English shot stories:

Short stories tend to be less complex than novels. Usually a short story
focuses on only one incident, has a single plot, a single setting, a small
number of characters, and covers a short period of time.

- Form: Stories tend to contain certain core elements of dramatic structure:
exposition( the introduction of setting, situation and main characters);
complication( the event that introduces the conflict); rising action, crisis(
the decisive moment for the protagonist and his commitment to a course of
action); climax( the point of highest interest in terms of the conflict and the
point with the most action); resolution( the point when the conflict is
resolved); and moral.

- Length: Determining what exactly separates a short story from longer
fictional formats is problematic. In contemporary usage, the term short
story most refers to a work of fiction no longer than 20,000 words and no
shorter than 1,000.

- Genres: Short stories are most often a form of fiction writing, with the
most widely published form of short stories being genre fiction such as
science fiction, horror fiction, detective fiction, and so on. The short story
has also come to embrace forms of non-fiction such as travel writing,
prose poetry and postmodern variants of fiction and non-fiction such as
ficto-criticism or new journalism
( From “ The short Oxford history of English literature, 2003, p.112 by
Andrew Sanders)

2. Classification of English stories

2.1. Folktale

Folktales are stories made by cumulative authors, about common folks,
specialized in traditional narrative.
- Setting: The setting of the folktale is non-specific in terms of time and
space.
- Characters: They are not complex. They do not mature or become wiser
during the course of the story. They are usually stereotyped characters
that fall into one of the two groups: the good characters are rewarded
while the wicked are punished.
- Plot: The plot usually involves e movement from powerlessness to
power, and poverty to wealth. A man or woman is helped, often though
magic, to gain power over the person who is oppressing them. The evil
oppressor sometimes receives a gruesome punishment.
- Animal: Animal in folktale often talk and act like human being, many
act as “ Magic helpers” to the human hero or heroine of the tale.

2.2. Fairytale

Fairytales have existed for thousands of years, this name was first
ascribed to them by Madame d’ Aulnoy. Literature fairytales are found
over the centuries all over the world, and when they collected them,
folklorists found fairytales in every cultures.


Fairytale is simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with
supernatural beings. Fairytale may written or told for the asusement of
children or may have more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural
or obviously improbable event, scenes, personages and often having a
whimsical, satirical, or moralistic character.

The most famous fairytales: Aladdin, Alice in wonderland, the Brother

Grimm, Snow White.
- Special beginning and/ or ending words: once upon a time, long long
ago, once long ago… and they lived happily ever after.
- Good characters and bad characters( many of them are animals or
members of royalty).
- Magic happening
- Story-setting is usually in a castle, forest or town.
- Problem and solution

2.3. Myths
Myth is the imaginative fiction of the minds of the ancient natives of a
country who believed that there were some kinds of nature Gods who were
involved in the creation, maintenance and destruction of the world, and in
some way they also influenced the social life of the people.
- Myths teach a lesson or explain the natural world
- Myths have Gods and Goddesses
- Gods and Goddesses are super-human and have human emotion
- Myths contain magic

2.4. Legend

Legend is story handed down for generations among a people and
popularly believe to have historical basic, although not verifiable.

Legend often have a regional connection. They are associated with a
particular event or person. Both myths and legend may have religious
content, but myths take place outside time, while legends are rooted in a
particular time and place. Legend originally denoting a story concerning
the life of a saint, is applied to any fictitious story, sometimes involving
supernatural, and usually concerned with a real person, place, or other

subject.

2.5. Fable
Fable are short story that contain a moral about human behavior.
Fable attempt to teach their audience how to behave in daily life by simple
messages. Fable and folktale share the character of the talking beast, but in
folktales the beast is usually a secondary characters and human character
are also present. In fable, animal character is used instead of human being,
representing a person, rather than interacting with them.

3. Storytelling:
“Storytelling is an interactive performance art form” ( by Sara Cone- “
How to tell stories to children”, 2000) Direct interaction between the
teller and audience is an essential element of the storytelling experience.
An audience responds to the teller's words and actions. The teller uses this
generally non-verbal feedback to immediately, spontaneously, adjust the
tones, wording, and pace of the story to better meet the needs of the
audience.
“Storytelling is, by design, a co-creative process”.( The Oxford History
Of Short Story, 2003) Storytelling audiences do not passively receive a
story from the teller, as a viewer receives and records the content of a
television program or motion picture. The teller provides no visual images,
no stage set, and generally, no costumes related to story characters or
historic period. Listeners create these images based on the performer's
telling and on their own experiences and beliefs.
“Storytelling is, by its nature, personal, interpretive, and uniquely
human”( by Helen Keller_ “The story of my life”). Storytelling passes on
the essence of who we are. Stories are a prime vehicle for assessing and
interpreting events, experiences, and concepts from minor moments of
daily life to the grand nature of the human condition. It is an intrinsic and

basic form of human communication. More than any other form of
communication, the telling of stories in an integral and essential part of the
human experience.
“Storytelling is a process, a medium for sharing, interpreting, offering the
content and meaning of a story to an audience”(The short stories in
English,1981- W.Allen) . Because storytelling is spontaneous and
experiential, and thus a dynamic interaction between teller and listener, it
is far more difficult to describe than is the script and camera directions of a
movie, or the lines and stage direction notes of a play. Storytelling
emerges from the interaction and cooperative, coordinated efforts of teller
and audience.
In sort, since people began to communicate with each other, “ Tell me a
story” has been a request of both children and adults. Storytelling is one
person telling others of something. Storytelling is often of a part of our
everyday communication, in which both teller and listener get involve so
that they both feel it, respond to it. Telling is a live, oral presentation by
one person to another. It involves a direct contact between the teller and
the listener. Also involved in any telling is physical presence and
presentation by the teller

4. Story-telling in education


“In addition to being entertaining, however, quality story-telling is also
beneficial to the cognitive to the development of children” (from “
Endangered minds”, P.46 by Jane M.Healy)
That means story-telling can be used as a teaching method in school, in
order to help children prove some of their skills in learning English, such
as listening, reading, speaking…

Aims of story-telling in education:
According to Mimi Rothschild in “ Story-telling in education”, in
English teaching, story-telling plays as an important role. Stories can
provide rich materials of language teaching, and stimulate children’s
study motives. They also help children to understand their world and share
attainments with others. Children always look forward to hear more
marvelous plots from the teachers and are always curious with stories.
When children concentrate their attention to listening to stories, it will be
the best encouragement and feedback for story teachers.
“…. Listening to stories build vocabulary, enhance memory, imagination,
and listening skill; help children think more complex, abstract and
creative ways; broaden children’s range of experience; and help children
develop phonemic awareness through rhythm and rhyme…” ( from
Thirteen core understandings about learning to read, Northwest Regional
Education Laboratory-1995).
Or “ Listening to stories is the easiest, most natural way for young
children to learn language, and it is language that follows us to organize,
structure, manipulate, think about and make sense of our world.” ( from “
The story of my life”, p.23 by Helen Keller
“…. Storytelling is an essential, perhaps an essential activity of human
being. It serves a myriad functions for the young child. Story allow
children to learn about their culture, but also serves as a kind of passport
into the culture” ( from The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Language and Literacy Team)

Establish good listening and speaking ability. For getting good listening
ability, children need to practice constantly. We should encourage children
to understand by themselves when they listen to stories. It is helpful if they
have active attitude.

Be familiar with English when listening to stories, children would be
familiar with pronunciation, intonation and usage of English. They would
contact with vocabulary, phrase and grammar structure then could speak
English better.

“….Children who listen to stories are exposed to many new words. They
may not know all the words mean, but hearing or reading stories helps
them to understand the meaning through the context. The teacher take
advantage of children’s curiosity to understand the story, and children are
more motivated to consult a dictionary or use the new words in the story of
their own creation” ( by Linda Fredericks – North Central Educational
Regional Laboratory)

Arouse speaking and writing output. After finishing the story, teacher may
bring up some related questions, ask children to write down their feelings,
and encourage children to express their opinions. Teacher could also
stimulate higher- degree children to say the story, even arrange the story.
In the study process, the class could be divided into groups and they would
learn how to cooperate and communicate with others. It would be
meaningful on language learning.

5. How to become an attractive story-teller:

Effective story-telling is a fine and beautiful art. A well-developed and
presented story can cut across age barriers and will hold the interest and
reach its listeners. Stories will be remembered long after other other
orations. Knowing and applying the basics of story-telling will strengthen
your stories.

Now the story-teller, who give the listening children such pleasure, open
up new windows to the imagination, and add some line or colour to the
ideal of life and art which is always taking form in the heart of a child.
He/she, in sort, accomplish the one greatest aim of storytelling- to engage
and enrich the child’s spiritual experience and stimulate healthy reaction
upon it.

The teller uses gestures to reinforce and enhance the words he or she speak
( James Foster Robinson)

Telling story is an art, so that story-teller is an artist. A good story-teller
will decide the success of story-telling. In Effective storytelling- A manual
for beginners, 1998, p.34, Barry Mc William stated that: “ Breathe the

breathe of life into them, until they become so real to you that you feel like
they are people you know. If you are convinced – Your listeners will be
too.”

Finding story
There are many kinds of stories you can work with. Start with simple
stories, then as your experience grows, be sure to explore and branch out.
With time you will probably find many kinds of tales that will interest you
personally. All sorts to choose from including folktales, fairytales, legends,
myths, funny tales, wonder tales…. With time and experience you will
want to try a variety of stories and perhaps even branch out into telling
your own personal stories or giving improvisational storytelling a try.

When choosing story, you should base on the characteristics: A good story
combines lots of factors like a single theme and clearly defined, or a well
developed plot. As we know the plot and theme are most important to
build up a story. Together with them, style is not less necessary- use of
word (vivid words), sound ( pleasing, live, colorful…). Characterization
contribute to the decision of succeed and effectiveness.

In short, the story-teller should know how to choose appropriate stories.
The stories should suit the children’s degree and be able to attract
children’s interest and attention. There should be correct value in the
stories and children would get the enlightenment. If it is easy to extent
related activities like painting, writing a letter or performing about the
stories. That would be nice.

Preparation
Before telling stories
Once you settle on a story, you will want to spend plenty of time with it.

It will be a considerable period of time and a number of settings before a
new story becomes your own.

Read the story for several times, first for pleasure, then with concentration.
Before let story coming to listeners, the story-teller should learn the story
as a whole rather than in fragment. Master, and then simplify, its structure
to a simple outline of scenes. Don’t try to memorize it, though you should
always know your first and last lines by heart! Then analyze its appeal, the
word picture you want your listeners to see, and the mood you wish to
create. From that point, the story-teller should map out the story line: The
beginning, which sets the stage and introduces the characters and conflict;
the body, in which the conflict builds up to the climax; and the resolution
of the conflict. Observe how the actions start, how it accelerates, repetition
in actions and how and where the transitions occur. If simplifying or
adapting a story, do not alter the essential story lines. When the story is
clarified, its background and cultural meanings should be considered. Each
work of art has its own way to transfer the cultural value and short stories
are not the exception. A good story-teller not only can make the stories
interesting with listeners but also help them to acknowledge the deep value
of the stories. To retain the original flavor and vigor, learn the
characteristic phrases which recur throughout the story. Observe the
sentence structure, phrases, unusual words and expressions. Practice the
story often – to the mirror, your cat, driving in the car, with friends, or
anyone who will listen. Even when telling an old and familiar story, you
must use imagination and all the story-teller’s skills to make it come alive.
Use your imagination to make the story come alive as you prepare.

Live with your story until the characters and setting becomes as real to you
as people and places you know. Other while you should imagine the
sounds, taste, scents, colors. Only when you see the story vividly yourself

can you make your audiences see it.

Beginning a story:
Storytelling is best done in a relaxed atmosphere free of distractions. The
audience ought to be comfortable and close. Candle light and campfires
are ideal situations for telling stories, but often impractical. The teller
needs to give careful attention to the setting before hand - and be prepared
to rearrange a room to bring his listener closer, or use a backdrop or
hangings to create atmosphere - especially in classroom settings. Props,
costumes, or some getting acquainted patter may also help in getting and
keeping attention and creating a mood.
Storytelling traditionally begins with a "Once upon a time " opening. and
then a storyteller’s silent pause to gather his thoughts. The traditional
openings, of which there are many (often with responses from the
audience), were "rituals" that served as a signal that the teller was
suspending "time and space" as we know it and transporting the audience
to a world of imagination and play. They identified the teller and
established the audience’s commitment to accept for the moment that
imaginary world and its "rules". Similar "rituals" also signal the end of the
story and their return to reality. Many adults today have forgotten these
"rules of the game." There are online lists of Beginnings and Endings.

Many factors affect the attention of your listeners. A storyteller always
needs to be sensitive to his audience and may need to regain their attention
before continuing.
Involvement or participation. Use volunteer(s) from the audience in your
story. Or have the audience participate in hand motions or making sound
effects. Or responding with "chants" or refrains
A distinct change in your pace, voice, or mood.
An unusual or unexpected twist in the narration.

Throw-away lines or asides work well as does comic relief.
Be especially prepared to deal with disruptions with groups of children.
There is always one or two children that want the attention. Sometimes
you can just ignore it; sometimes it make take a stare, or a pause till the
disruptive behavior ends, sometimes maybe involving a child in your story
- whatever you do - do not speak harshly or in anger, or you will lose the
audience.
Concluding:
Once you finish the story - stop! Don't ramble on. Leave their thoughts
lingering over it. Don't feel you have to explain everything, or tie together
all loose ends. Let them go away thinking about what has been said, and
drawing their own meaning from it!
Applause is no measure of the effectiveness of a story presentation.
Sometimes it will be exuberant, but other times the audience is quietly
savoring and treasuring the story. An attentive audience and the feeling
you "told it well" are the best reward you can have.
Finally and most importantly: The more you practice- the more skilled
you will become. Don't be afraid to try different methods. Be creative. As
you do learn from your experiences. Expect to flop, the best of us do.
Don't be overly self- conscious. Have fun and share the joy of story.
In the end, it is most important that you should tell your story in your own
words with sincerity and enthusiasm and
Tell stories! Tell stories!! Tell stories!!!
(By Barry Mc Williams, in “Effective storytelling- A manual for
beginners”, 1998, p.40-46)
So far, English short stories in English literature and story-telling in
education has been clearly discussed. In addition to transferring literary
value, stories and story-telling also play an important part in contributing
and enriching the human’s spiritual life. A consideration of the feasibility
for the story-telling in Vietnam school environment seems to be raised.

However, this consideration needs times and method to decide whether it
is appropriate with the learners. To that point, chapter two will gear its
objectives to study the situation of learning and teaching English in Hai
Phong city as well as the expectation, attitude of teachers and students
towards this activity

CHAPTER II

THE STUDY ON LEARNING AND TEACHING
ENGLISH AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HAI
PHONG CITY

I. Reality
1. Teachers
In general, the teachers of English at secondary schools in Hai Phong city
they all graduated from universities and most have experience in teaching
for more than five years. During this period of time teaching, they are all
active and creative teachers to find out more and more new methods,
techniques in order to get better result. Teaching English to children at age
from 10 to 14 is not easy, so it takes them a lot of time to match and
transfer the knowledge with the degree of learners. In addition to the
English textbook 6, they have also to combine with many other materials
and resources to diversify program. From the point, that the methods of
teaching should be refreshed day by day is necessary to avoid boredom.

2. Students
Each secondary school in Hai Phong city normally has four 6
th

classes.
They have been learning English for 1 year. For them, English is still a
new subject and somehow difficult for them to study. It is absolutely not
like learning the mother tongue, because they just have 6-8 periods a week
on English lesson and they do not practice every day. However, they
always make their best efforts to learn English.
According to the learning English program, the 6
th
graders focus on
grammar and vocabulary. Nevertheless, they seem to be very interested in
speaking English. I can find their activeness and eagerness in an English