A guide for young learners
Storytelling is a powerful tool in the ESL classroom, and choosing the right stories can make all the difference in engaging young learners. During Storytelling Week (1-9 February in the UK), it’s the perfect time to reflect on how stories can inspire children, foster a love for reading, and create meaningful learning experiences. But how do you choose the best stories for your ESL students?
1. Prioritise Engagement Over ‘What They Need to Learn’
It’s tempting to select books based on vocabulary lists or grammar structures, but young children connect with stories through emotions and imagination, not language rules. Instead of asking «What do they need to learn?», ask «Will they love this story?» A well-chosen book naturally introduces new language in a way that sticks because it captures their curiosity and emotions.
2. Authentic Stories Over Oversimplified Texts
Authentic children’s literature, rather than heavily adapted ESL texts, immerses learners in real, natural language. Books with rhythm, repetition, and engaging illustrations (like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle) provide excellent exposure to English without oversimplifying it. Authentic stories also allow students to experience culture, humour, and storytelling techniques in a way that artificial texts often don’t.
3. Relatable Characters and Universal Themes
Children need to see themselves in the stories they read. Books that explore friendship (Elmer by David McKee), emotions (The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas), and adventure (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen) work well across cultures because they tap into experiences all children understand.
4. Visual Storytelling: The Power of Wordless and Illustrated Books
Books like The Snowman by Raymond Briggs and Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann rely on illustrations to tell a story, making them accessible to all language levels. Wordless books allow children to participate actively, describing what they see and using their creativity to build the story themselves. This is especially valuable in mixed-ability classrooms.
5. Repetition and Predictability for Language Acquisition
Young learners thrive on repetition, and books with predictable patterns help them feel confident in their understanding. Stories like Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell or Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson encourage participation through rhyming, repetitive language, and predictable structures—key ingredients for language retention.
6. Interactive and Participatory Elements
The best books invite children to join in—whether through actions, rhyming chants, or interactive flaps. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a fantastic example, as children love mimicking the movements and sounds. Engaging with a story in this way reinforces language naturally while making learning fun.
7. Books That Spark Conversation and Extend Learning
A good book should open the door to discussion. After reading, can you act out the story? Can students change the ending? Can they create their own version? Books like The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson or Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak lead to rich discussions, role-play, and creative follow-up activities.
Here are some of the resources we use in our classroom based on stories for different levels:
Click here to have a look at the previews of these resources on the TPT Store!