Includes bibliographical references (pages 277-286) and indexes.

"Using Folktales shows how to take advantage of the unique characteristics of folktales to promote language learning. It gives practical ideas on using folktales to:
generate interesting and "fun" listening and reading texts
develop critical thinking
stimulate talking and discussion
produce original writing
address grammar in context
explore cultural similarities, differences, and values
meet the needs of multilevel classes
build academic skills

In addition to providing over 40 ready-to-use activities and dozens of short stories for all ages and all levels, the book shows you how to adapt the activities to different levels and contexts, and how to create your own activities from scratch. It also guides you to print and Internet sources for additional materials." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

List of folktales

Preface

Part I Theoretical background

1. What makes folktales so good for language teaching?
Introduction
Just what is a folktale?
Characteristics that contribute to easy reading and listening
Characteristics that contribute to interest and relevance for both adults and children
Language teaching and the cultural elements of folktales
Integrating folktales with any language skill

2. Some tips for the classroom
Copying the activities in this book
On the levels of the stories in the book
Building a collection of materials over time
Differences between reading and telling
Tips on telling stories orally
Before you go into the classroom
Rewriting stories
Using real objects
Preparing students for folktales in the classroom
Sources for material
Building a bridge from folktales to other types of literature

3. Folktales in the multilevel classroom
The problem of the multilevel classroom
Alternative approaches to multilevel teaching
Responding to the same story with different versions of the same type of activity
Responding to the same story with extra support for lower-level students
Responding to the same story with an extra task for higher-level students
Different levels get different stories but do the same type of activity with other students at their level
Different levels get different stories (or parts of stories) and work in mixed-level groups to complete a cooperative activity
Creating self-access materials for the multilevel class

Conclusion

Part II The activities

4. Focus on listening
Discussion of story pictures
Oral reading with comments on the pictures
Drawing pictures based on a story
Picture-sorting listening activity
Marking a story's events on a map
Completing a timeline

5. Focus on speaking
Eliciting stories from students
Oral retelling by students
Oral telling with a repeated refrain
Retellings with cut-out figures
Discussion activities
Telling stories from students' own cultures

6. Interactive information gaps
Strip story
The ambiguous strip story
Creating a story from strips
Jigsaw story reconstruction
Multiple story scramble

7. Focus on reading
Individual reading
Readings with a focus on grammar
Dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary while reading

8. Focus on writing
Using pictures to introduce story writing
Writing stories using a list of items to include
Writing stories using a stack of item cards
Finishing existing stories
Writing original stories
Writing stories in shifts
Creating a book of student stories

9. Folktales and language games
Concentration matching game
Language Jeopardy
Crossword puzzles to review vocabulary
Crossword puzzles to practice description and paraphrasing skills

10. Folktales and drama
Presenting folktales with drama
Converting folktales to drama
Multipart story drama

11. Building awareness of text structure
Introductions, episodes, and conclusions
The cyclical story
Problem/solution stories
Cause-and-effect stories

12. Developing analytical skills
Evaluating and summarizing a story
Comparing two or more variants of a tale
Support and evaluation activity
Bibliography Collections of stories
Folktale resources intended specifically for ESL students
Books about storytelling
Books about folktales
Sources for folktales on the Internet
On-line discussion groups
Some longer children's books to consider
Research, studies, and other sources

Index of stories by culture
Index of story themes
General Index