A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)

What is the course about?

On this course you will work with a tutor to make a digital recording of an event or part of your life. You will learn how to develop your language skills so you can create an engaging and interesting story. Storytelling is a fantastic way of enhancing your English including your pronunciation, expression, grammar. listening skills and writing skills, as well as encouraging your self-expression. Each week you will focus on a different theme and work on stories about these themes. And these will act as models to help you create your own story. At the end of the course you will donate a pair of your shoes (if you wish) to form part of an exhibition within City Lit in which you invite people to walk in your shoes and listen to your story.

What will we cover?

• active listening – how to listen to a story and what to listen for
• introducing a story
• identifying a theme
• how to improve a story – telling and re-telling
• the grammar of stories – verb tenses, modals, conditionals
• using your voice – projecting, expressing, rhythm
• structuring a story
• ending a story
• writing reflections
•how to make a simple digital recording.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• produce an engaging short digital story about an aspect of your life
• write honestly and clearly about your feelings and thoughts
• listen actively to identify themes and details
• create an attention-grabbing introduction to a story
• create a story with a theme
• identify how to improve a story by telling and re-telling
• use the grammar of stories effectively– verb tenses, modals, conditionals
• use your voice to keep the listener’s attention– projecting, expressing, rhythm
• structure a story effectively
• end a story in a meaningful way
•make a simple digital recording.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for anyone who has a good level of fluency in English (level 1-2), including ESOL learners. You need to have a reasonable level of digital skills to be able to record your stories e.g. on your mobile phone. It will benefit anyone who wishes to develop their communication skills.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts. You need access to a digital recording device e.g. mobile phone.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, during or after this course. Your tutor will advise you. These include:
• Picture this: develop your English through art and photography (level 1)
• Develop your English for the workplace: letters, emails, memos, notes, meetings and presentations (level 1)
• Develop your English: grammar foundation (level 1-2)
• Develop your English: reading, thinking, discussing (level 1-2)
• Develop your confidence in writing: sentence formation, grammar and punctuation in everyday writing (level 1-2)
• Develop your confidence in writing through grammar (level 1-2)
• Professional communication skills: how to make your writing clear, concise and organised (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: reading, analysing, and comparing data and text (level 2)

• Professional communication skills: effective verbal communication in the workplace (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: effective written communication in the workplace (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: business writing from memos to storytelling (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: creating a positive image from job hire to promotion
• Business communication skills: the principles of selling (an introduction)
• ESOL level 1 (speaking and listening)
• ESOL level 1 (reading and writing)
• ESOL level 2 (speaking and listening)
• ESOL level 2 (reading and writing)
• Advanced English writing skills: how to write creatively, expressively and clearly (level 2)
• ESOL: Develop your writing through grammar (advanced)
• Communication skills: read well, write well (level 1-level 2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 1 (level 1-2)
• Grammar in practice: advanced (level 2+)
• ESOL and making podcasts: pronunciation, presentation, expression (level 1-2)
• English dialogue: speaking, listening, pronunciation, performance (level 1-2).