EASY ENGLISH CONVERSATION: How to tell a story in English

Summary

In this video, Emma teaches viewers how to tell a story in English, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in conversations with friends, family, and coworkers. She explains common expressions to introduce stories, such as 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...' and 'That reminds me of...'. Emma highlights the need to keep stories concise, use signal words to indicate the sequence of events, and choose appropriate verb tenses like the past and past continuous. She also offers tips on ending stories effectively and recommends watching English talk shows to improve storytelling skills.

Takeaways

• 😄 Telling stories is an important conversational skill in English.
• 🗣️ Common expressions are used to signal the start of a story, such as 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...'
• 🔗 Phrases like 'Oh, that reminds me' and 'Let me tell you about' are used to connect a current conversation to a personal story.
• 📚 It's important to pay attention to the listener's cues to gauge their interest and adjust the length of the story accordingly.
• 📉 English speakers typically prefer shorter stories unless the narrative is exceptionally engaging.
• 📚 Signal words like 'first', 'then', 'next', 'later', and 'finally' help organize and clarify the sequence of events in a story.
• 👂 Listener engagement, such as asking 'Then what happened?', indicates interest in the story being told.
• 🕒 Past tense is the most common tense used in storytelling, with simple past and past continuous tenses being particularly popular.
• 🔚 Ending a story with phrases like 'Can you believe that?' or 'I'll never forget it' signals to the listener that the story is over.
• 😐 If the listener's reaction is underwhelming, saying 'I guess you had to be there' acknowledges that the story may not have translated well.
• 📺 Watching English talk shows is recommended to improve storytelling skills by observing native speakers.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Emma's video?

The main topic of Emma's video is teaching viewers how to tell a story in English.

Why is storytelling an important conversation skill according to Emma?

Storytelling is an important conversation skill because it is often used in interactions with friends, family, or coworkers to share experiences or past events.

What is the purpose of using expressions to introduce a story in conversation?

Expressions are used to introduce a story as a signal to the listener that a story is about to be told, preparing them for the narrative.

Can you provide an example of how Emma's father introduces a story?

Emma's father often introduces a story by saying, 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...' followed by the event or situation.

What is another common way to introduce a story as mentioned by Emma?

Another common way to introduce a story is by saying 'Oh, that reminds me. That reminds me of when...' which is used when something someone else says triggers a memory of a related story.

How does the phrase 'Let me tell you about' function in storytelling?

The phrase 'Let me tell you about' is used as an introduction to a story, setting the stage for the storyteller to share their experience or event.

What does Emma suggest to do when telling stories in English regarding the story's length?

Emma suggests being careful about the length of a story, as English speakers often prefer shorter stories and have a shorter attention span.

Why is it important to pay attention to the listener's cues when telling a story?

Paying attention to the listener's cues is important to gauge their interest and engagement, and to adjust the storytelling accordingly to maintain their attention.

What are signal words and how do they help in storytelling?

Signal words are words that indicate the sequence or direction of the story, such as 'first', 'then', 'next', 'later', and 'finally'. They help organize the story and make it easier for the listener to follow.

What does Emma recommend to improve storytelling skills?

Emma recommends listening to native speakers tell stories, such as by watching English talk shows, to improve storytelling skills by hearing different models and styles.

How can viewers practice what they learned from Emma's video?

Viewers can practice by visiting Emma's website at www.engvid.com, where they can take a quiz on the topics discussed, and by subscribing to her channel for more resources on learning English.

What verb tenses are commonly used when telling stories in English according to the video?

The simple past tense and the past continuous tense are commonly used when telling stories in English.

How does Emma describe the use of the past continuous tense in storytelling?

Emma describes the past continuous tense as useful for describing background activities or situations that were in progress at the time of the story, often using 'was' + verb-ing form.

What are some phrases Emma suggests to use at the end of a story to signal its conclusion?

Some phrases to signal the end of a story include 'Can you believe that?', 'I'll never forget it.', 'I can't believe that happened.', and 'I guess you had to be there.'

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introduction to Storytelling in English

Emma begins the video by highlighting the importance of storytelling in everyday conversations. She explains that telling stories is a crucial conversational skill used in various settings, such as with friends, family, or coworkers. Emma introduces the session's aim to teach viewers how to effectively tell a story in English. She outlines different expressions used to signal the start of a story, providing examples like 'Did I ever tell you about the time when…' and 'That reminds me…'. She emphasizes the significance of these expressions in making the listener aware that a story is about to be shared.

05:03

🕒 Managing the Length and Flow of Stories

Emma discusses the cultural aspects of storytelling, noting that story length can vary significantly across different cultures. In English-speaking contexts, shorter stories are generally preferred due to shorter attention spans. She advises paying attention to the listener's cues to ensure the story is engaging and not too lengthy. Emma introduces the concept of 'signal words' such as 'first', 'then', 'next', and 'finally' to help organize the story and maintain clarity. She also mentions the positive listener feedback phrase 'Then what happened?' as an indicator of interest.

10:07

⏳ Using Past Tenses in Storytelling

Emma explains the importance of verb tenses in storytelling, focusing on the past tense, which is commonly used in English stories. She differentiates between the simple past tense and the past continuous tense, providing examples of each. The simple past is often used for main events ('I saw a bear'), while the past continuous describes ongoing actions or background settings ('I was walking down the street when I saw a bear'). Emma suggests watching additional videos on past continuous for more practice and understanding.

🎬 Concluding Your Story and Practical Tips

Emma discusses how to effectively end a story, offering phrases like 'Can you believe that?' and 'I'll never forget it' to signal the conclusion, especially if the story is surprising. She also addresses situations where the listener's reaction is underwhelming, suggesting the phrase 'I guess you had to be there' to acknowledge the lack of engagement. Emma recommends listening to native speakers on English talk shows as a practical way to improve storytelling skills. She concludes by encouraging viewers to visit her website for quizzes and additional resources, and to subscribe to her channel for more English learning content.

Keywords

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of narrating stories, often orally, to an audience. It's a fundamental aspect of human communication and culture. In the context of the video, storytelling is presented as an essential conversational skill in English, used to share personal experiences or anecdotes with others. The script provides several examples of how to start a story, such as 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...' and 'That reminds me of when...'

💡Conversational Skill

A conversational skill refers to the ability to effectively engage in dialogue with others. The video emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a key conversational skill in English, highlighting its prevalence in social interactions. The script discusses various ways to initiate a story within a conversation, demonstrating the practical application of this skill.

💡Expression

In the video, an expression is used to denote a phrase or idiomatic language that serves as a signal to the listener that a story is about to be told. Expressions like 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...' and 'Oh, that reminds me' are highlighted as common ways to introduce a story in English conversations.

💡Cultural

The term 'cultural' relates to the customs, practices, and social norms of a particular group of people. The script mentions that storytelling can be very cultural, meaning that the length and style of stories can vary significantly across different cultures. In English-speaking cultures, there is a preference for shorter stories, which is an important aspect to consider when telling stories.

💡Attention Span

Attention span refers to the duration for which a person can concentrate on a task or activity without becoming distracted. The video script notes that in English, people often have a shorter attention span, which implies that stories should be concise to maintain the listener's interest. This is a key consideration in the art of storytelling.

💡Signal Words

Signal words are used to guide the listener through the narrative by indicating the sequence or direction of the story. Examples provided in the script include 'first', 'then', 'next', 'later', and 'finally'. These words help organize the story and make it easier for the listener to follow the events being described.

💡Past Tense

The past tense is a verb tense used to describe actions or states that occurred in the past. The script explains that the past tense is commonly used when telling stories in English. It provides examples of the simple past tense, such as 'I saw a bear', and the past continuous tense, such as 'I was walking down the street'.

💡Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past that was interrupted by another action. In the script, it is used to set the scene or describe the background of a story, as in 'I was walking down the street when I saw a bear'. This tense helps to create a more vivid and engaging narrative.

💡Ending a Story

Ending a story refers to the way a narrative is concluded. The video script suggests phrases like 'Can you believe that?', 'I'll never forget it', and 'I guess you had to be there' as effective ways to signal the end of a story and elicit a reaction from the listener. These phrases help to wrap up the story and leave a lasting impression.

💡Talk Shows

Talk shows are a form of television programming where a host engages in conversation with guests, often including storytelling. The script recommends watching English talk shows as a way to improve storytelling skills, as they provide models of native speakers telling stories that are typically short and entertaining.

Highlights

Emma introduces the importance of storytelling as a conversational skill in English.

Different ways to introduce a story in conversation are discussed.

The expression 'Did I ever tell you about the time when...' is highlighted as a common story starter.

Using 'Oh, that reminds me' as a way to connect a current topic to a personal story.

The phrase 'Let me tell you about' is presented as a direct introduction to a story.

The introduction 'You'll never guess what happened' is suggested to pique listener interest.

The simplicity of saying 'I have a funny story for you' to start a story.

The cultural aspect of story length and attention span in English storytelling.

The importance of observing listener cues to adjust the length of the story.

Signal words like 'first', 'then', 'next', 'later', and 'finally' are recommended for story organization.

Listener engagement indicated by 'Then what happened?' as a positive response.

The use of past tense, including simple past and past continuous, in storytelling.

Explanation of simple past tense with examples like 'I saw a bear'.

Past continuous tense usage for background or ongoing activities during the story.

Signaling the end of a story with phrases like 'Can you believe that?' or 'I'll never forget it'.

Handling situations where the listener doesn't find the story interesting with 'I guess you had to be there'.

Recommendation to listen to native speakers on English talk shows to improve storytelling.

Emma provides resources for further learning and practice on her website and channel.

Transcripts

Hello. My name is Emma, and in today's video,

I am going to teach you how to tell a story

in English. This is a very important conversation

skill because a lot of the times when we see

our friends or our family or coworkers, we

often tell stories. You might talk about your

weekend and tell a story about something funny

that happened to you, or maybe you want to

talk about something funny from your past or

something scary. So, we often tell stories

in conversation. So, let me teach you how you can tell a story in English. So, let's

get started.

There are different ways to introduce a story

in conversation. So, a lot of the times, we

actually will use an expression, and that

shows the listener that we are going to tell

a story. It's almost like a signal. So, when

you hear somebody say these things, you know,

okay, a story is coming. They are about to

say a story. So, let's look at some of these

different ways to start a story in conversation.

This is an example of something my father

says all the time in English. He always says,

"Did I ever tell you about the time when _____

happened?" So, this can be many different

things. "Did I ever tell you about the time

when I got in trouble at school?" "Did I ever

tell you about the time when I met your mother?"

"Did I ever tell you about the time when the

storm of the century happened?" Okay? So,

there's a lot of different ways you can introduce

a story. This is a very common way. "Did I ever tell you about the time when _____?"

You might also hear somebody say this, "Oh,

that reminds me. That reminds me of when _____

happened. That reminds me." We usually use this when someone is telling us something

and it reminds us of a story. So, they're saying something and suddenly we think of

a story from our own experience. So, maybe somebody is talking about maybe something

from their childhood, and maybe they're talking

about soccer, and I go, "Oh, that reminds

me of when I was a child and I used to play

soccer." And then I'll probably tell a story.

So, "that reminds me" is a common way to introduce a story.

You might also hear this, "Let me tell you

about... Let me tell you about the time when

I got really scared. Let me tell you about

the time when I was on a roller coaster. Let

me tell you about the time when I went to

China and my experiences there." So, we often

use "let me tell you about" as an introduction to a story.

You might also say something to somebody like,

"You'll never guess what happened." This is

a great introduction to get the listener interested

in what you are going to say. "You'll never

guess what happened." And then you tell something

interesting that just happened. "You'll never

guess what happened." You might actually

just say something like, "Oh, I have a funny

story for you." This is common, too. Or, "I have a story for you." So, if it's funny,

you might use this. If not, you might just

say, "I have a story for you." So, these are

all common ways to start telling stories in conversation.

Now, let's learn a little bit more about how

to tell stories in English. So, the next thing

I want to tell you about telling a story in English is you need to be careful about

the length of a story. Telling stories is

very cultural. So, in some cultures, we might

tell very long stories, whereas in other cultures,

we might typically tell shorter stories. In

English, people often have a shorter attention

span, so they prefer stories to be on the

shorter side, unless it's a really good story.

So, the reason I'm telling you this is it's

important when you are telling a story to pay attention to the listener. You want to

look at the listener and look at their cues.

Are they yawning? Are they looking at their

watch? That would be rude, but maybe they're

doing that. Are they not even looking at you?

By looking at what the listener is doing, that can actually help you improve your own

storytelling, because you don't want your stories to be too long and you don't want

them to be too short. There's a good amount of

time you might tell a story. So, in English,

again, usually we prefer shorter stories to longer stories.

The next thing I wanted to tell you about

telling stories in English is in conversation,

we often use signal words. So, what are signal

words? Well, they're words that tell us where

the story is going, or maybe they tell us

the sequence of events. What happened first?

What happened next? Then what happened? So, to improve your storytelling, I recommend

using signal words. Here are some examples.

First, then, next, later, finally. These are

just a few signal words, but they're examples.

They really help with the organization of

your story. One other point is I mentioned that it's important to listen... Or to pay

attention to the listener and see how they are responding to your story. One good sign

is if the listener says, "Then what happened?"

"Then what happened?" means they are interested.

Okay? So, while you're telling the story,

the listener might say, "Then what happened?"

So, this is a good thing to hear from a listener.

It means they are interested in what you are

saying. "And then what happened?" Okay, now

let's learn a little bit about the verb tenses

we use when we tell stories in conversation.

Okay, so when you tell a story in English,

one of the most common tenses we use is the

past tense. It's possible to use the present

tense, but in general, we usually use the

past tense when we tell stories. So, I'm going

to talk a little bit about the past tense and how we use this when we tell stories.

So, there are different forms of the past tense in English. Two examples are we have

the simple past tense, and we also have the

past continuous tense. These are both popular

to use when we tell stories. So, I'm going to give you an example of the simple past

tense. "I saw a bear." So, in a story, this is true. One time, I saw a bear. Notice the

verb I used. The verb is in the simple past tense. The verb is "to see", I've changed

the verb into the past tense, and now it is the verb "saw". "I saw a bear." So, a lot

of the times when we tell stories, we just

use the simple past tense. Simple past tense,

regular verbs in the simple past tense often

have -ed endings, so if that helps you to

remember. So, for example, you might talk

about how you worked yesterday, or you visited

your grandmother. So, we use the simple past a lot when we tell stories.

We also use the past continuous. So, you might

wonder, what is the past continuous? Well,

whenever you see grammar with the word "continuous"

in it, or "progressive", that usually means

there's an -ing ending somewhere. So, here

is an example of the past continuous. "I was

walking down the street when I saw a bear."

So, "walking" has our -ing in it, it's a verb

with -ing, and we also have the "be" verb, "was". So, "I was walking down the street.

It was raining. It was snowing. It was...

The sun was shining." These are all examples

of the past continuous.

So when do we use the past continuous, or

how do we use it when we tell stories? Well,

we use it to talk about either the background,

so what was the weather like? What was happening

when something happened? So, we use it to talk about the background description, or

we can use it to talk about an activity that

is in progress at the time of your story.

So, just a clear example, here is what is

happening. This is the activity in progress.

"I was walking down the street." So, that is happening when I saw a bear. So, this is

an interruption of that activity.

So, we have videos on the past continuous. I

recommend if you don't know how to use this

tense to watch some of these videos, they

can be very helpful. But again, when we tell

stories in conversation, we often use the

simple past tense or the past continuous tense.

Now, let's learn what else we use when we tell stories in English.

So, you've told your story now, and the question

is, "How do you end it?" We like to signal

to the listener that the story is finished.

So, what can we say to show our story is over?

Well, there's a couple of things we can say.

At the end of a story, we can say, "Can you

believe that?" So, this is a way to show my

story is finished, and it's a surprising story.

"Can you believe that?" Or you might say something like, "I'll never forget it. I'll

never forget it. I'll never forget what happened."

You might say something like, "I can't believe

that happened. I can't believe it. I can't

believe that happened." So, we often use these,

especially if there's a surprise in the story.

Now, sometimes when we tell a story, we think

it's a great story, and we look at the listener,

and they are like this. They don't find the story

funny. They don't find the story interesting.

They're not really showing any emotion. So,

after we tell a story, if the listener looks

like this, you can say, "I guess you had to be there." This means in order to like

the story, you needed to experience it. "I guess you had to be there." This is a very

common thing people say at the end of stories

when the reaction to the story is not good.

So, if the listener looks like this, you can say, "I guess you had to be there."

Okay, so we've covered a little bit about how to

tell stories in English. There is a lot more to

say on this subject. One thing I recommend my

students do is listen to people tell stories.

The best way to improve is to actually hear models of what you want to do.

So, the way you can listen to native speakers

tell stories is watch English talk shows.

If you ever watch an English talk show, you

will notice that the celebrity on the talk show

always tells a story, and it's usually a funny

story or an interesting story, and they're short.

So, I recommend you watch talk shows if you want

to improve your storytelling. You can watch The

Late Show, The Tonight Show, The Colbert Report.

There are many different talk shows in English.

You can watch them on YouTube, but I highly

recommend doing this to improve your storytelling.

So, thank you so much for watching. You can practice what you learned today by visiting

our website at www.engvid.com. There, you can

actually take a quiz on some of what we talked

about today. I also recommend that you subscribe

to my channel. I have a lot of different resources

on grammar, vocabulary, listening, writing, and many other subjects of English,

so I highly recommend doing that. Just don't

forget to ring the bell. If you want to get

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subscribe. You can also check out my website at

www.teacheremma.com, and there you can find more free resources on learning English.

So, thank you so much for watching, and until next time, take care.