Chain stories

Chain stories are an excellent way of improving pronunciation.

The teacher gives students cards with two or three words which are pronounced with sounds they need to practise. Each student will receive a different sound. The first student will have to start the story including the words in his / her card (eg.: Abby – beautiful – snob). The student who discovers which the sound in focus is has to continue telling the story using the words he / she has been given. The story goes on until students give it an end or until students get stuck and cannot continue with it.

If students cannot complete the story during the game, they will join in groups to work collaboratively to finish it. This time the teacher will give them a specific number of words they will have to use. Then, each group will choose a reader to share their story with the class.

The team who write the most creative story will choose the topic for the following writing session. The class will vote to decide who wins.

Comments: While students prepare, say and identify the sounds they are supposed to be practicing, they improve their receptive and productive skills, and the good pronunciation of the sounds in focus will get entrenched.

When students work collaboratively, they learn to share and respect opinions, and accept decision agreed upon by the group even when they might have chosen another option. At the same time, group cohesion will be enhanced since students will be working together trying to achieve a common aim.