Why use audio stories for language learning?
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Children find listening to audio stories enjoyable and motivating and it can
accelerate their English language learning. It enables pupils
to access texts above their independent reading level, thus absorbing advanced 'book
language' which supports their development of language proficiency.
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What's available?
Free audio stories are a good way of providing pupils with access to a
large number of texts through online websites, meaning that they can
select texts that interest them and you can save pennies on buying resources!
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Storynory includes a range of traditional stories, unusual stories from around the world and original children's stories.
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Mighty Book
offers a range of free online stories, fables and rhymes. Subscribe for
full access to the 800 animated stories, songs, games and puzzles.
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Storyline online
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Foundation presents Storyline Online,
which is an on-line streaming video programme featuring SAG members
reading children's books aloud. Each book inlcudes activities and lesson
ideas. You can choose to use subtitles or not.
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Fables from Aesop
by Tom Lynch, includes thirteen fables illustrated with hand sewn
patchwork tapestries, inspired by African, Indian and Peruvian artwork.
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Light up your brain
offers original audio stories in MP3 format. Children can read along and download the files.
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Online Audio Stories
includes a range of fairy tales, myths for children, classics and funny poems.
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Myths and Legends
A site for pupils, teachers and parents. Provides a range of myths, folktales and legends from the British Isles
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Magic keys is a site with a range of story books for younger and older
children. Some have audio, but many do not. You can click through the
book at your own pace allowing lots of time for discussion.
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A google search will locate more free audio stories - it's worth checking frequently as sites change and new ones appear.
Children in the early stages of reading may prefer seeing the book as
well as listening to the text in which case books would need to be
purchased to go with the audio versions - buying the unabridged versions
ensures that the text matches the audio and doesn't cause confusion.
How to use audio stories to accelerate children's language learning
Try using the audio stories for;
- personalised home reading - children choose their own texts and feed back about what they enjoy/don't enjoy
- whole group reading a specific text - use for disucssion in guided reading groups
- whole class listening to specific texts - use for disucssion on topics of interest or related to units of study in other areas such as history, geography etc.
- paired reading - children support each other to follow along with the words and discuss key parts of the story together or with adult intervention
