π― B1βB2
β±οΈ 5 min
π¬ True story: I once described arriving in Sydney β airport, 3 am, no money, no phone signal β to a group of A2 students. They listened for ten minutes straight. No grammar was corrected. Why? Because I used the right storytelling structure. Here it is.
Telling a Story β The 5-Part Structure
“This happened in Sydney, back in 2005. It was three in the morning…”
“I had just arrived from Bangladesh. I didn’t know anyone.”
“And then I realised β my phone had no signal and I had no Australian dollars.”
“A stranger let me use his phone. I found a taxi driver who spoke Bengali.”
“Looking back, that night taught me that people are kinder than you expect.”
Story Linkers
Sequencing: first, then, after that, eventually, finally, in the end
Surprise: suddenly, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, to my surprise
Background: at the time, back then, in those days
π― Your Turn β 2-Minute Storytelling Challenge
Tell a true short story using all 5 parts. It can be as simple as:
“Something funny / embarrassing / surprising that happened to me…”
Use at least 3 story linkers from the box above. Write or speak β both work!
β Takeaway: Good stories have 5 parts: scene β situation β problem β resolution β point. Use linkers to connect them. The best stories come from real life.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.