My experience with reading
When I was a child, I wasn’t what you’d call a “strong reader.” I could make my way through the words on the page, but it didn’t come easily or naturally to me. My mum didn’t push me into endless phonics drills or pressure me to read books far above my level. Instead, she chose a different path — she read to me. Often, she’d sit with me and we’d read stories, talking about the characters, places, and events to get me thinking.
She didn’t test me on what I remembered, but she did talk to me about the stories. “Why do you think the character did that?” “What would you have done?” “What do you think will happen next?” Those conversations built something in me that reading lists and worksheets couldn’t — curiosity and excitement for stories. Before long, I wanted to read more on my own, just so I could know what happened next. That spark was the beginning of my love for reading and language.
Why Storytelling Works for Language Learning
Research into literacy development shows that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to build language skills — especially for children learning English. According to the Australian Curriculum: English (Version 9.0), students develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills most effectively when they are exposed to rich, meaningful language in a variety of contexts. Storytelling ticks every box. In fact, studies have found that children who engage in regular storytelling — whether as listeners or storytellers themselves — often outperform peers in vocabulary, narrative structure, and comprehension skills.
Here’s why it works:
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Vocabulary in Context – Hearing words used in real, meaningful situations helps children understand and remember them better.
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Comprehension Skills – Stories require children to follow a sequence, connect ideas, and predict what happens next.
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Cultural Understanding – Stories are full of social cues, values, and idioms that help children navigate real-world communication.
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Speaking Confidence – Talking about stories gives children a low-pressure way to practise expressing ideas and opinions.
Tips for Using Storytelling to Help Kids Learn English
If you want to use storytelling to support your child’s English learning, here are some practical strategies:
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Read Together Every Day
Choose books you both enjoy. Make reading time a routine, whether it’s before bed or after school. -
Talk About the Story
Ask open-ended questions: “Why do you think she did that?” “What do you think will happen next?” This builds comprehension and critical thinking. -
Encourage Retelling
Get your child to tell the story back to you — in their own words. This strengthens memory, sequencing, and vocabulary. -
Use Props and Play
Puppets, toys, or even drawings can make stories more engaging, especially for younger children. -
Tell Your Own Stories
Share stories from your own life or family history. This models narrative skills and shows that storytelling isn’t just something that happens in books. -
Mix in Multicultural Stories
Include stories from different cultures to expand vocabulary, cultural awareness, and empathy. -
Let Kids Be the Storyteller
Encourage them to make up their own tales — silly, serious, or somewhere in between. Creativity fuels language growth.
Final Thoughts
Storytelling isn’t just about learning to read — it’s about learning to love language. By making stories a daily part of your child’s life, you’re building more than literacy skills; you’re building curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.
My mum’s approach taught me that fluency and confidence in English don’t just come from books and worksheets. They grow from the joy of hearing, telling, and living in stories.
