Storytelling and Play‐Based Activities in English Language Teaching: An Effective Approach to Language Acquisition

Authors

  • Hasan Gunes

    Department of Turkish Language and Literature, Division of Turkish Folklore, Anadolu University, 26470 Tepebaşı/ Eskişehir, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.10465
Received:11 June 2025 | Revised:23 June 2025 | Accepted: 25 June 2025 | Published Online: 17 July 2025

Abstract

This study examines how storytelling and play-based activities―effective methods for foreign language instruction in early childhood―can be employed in English teaching through theoretical foundations and practical data. Storytelling, with its capacity to engage children’s imagination and internalize linguistic patterns, and play, which offers social interaction, repetition, and reinforcement, together create a holistic language acquisition process. Supported by qualitative research methods, this investigation demonstrates that storytelling and play‐based instruction have a positive impact on learners’ vocabulary, grammatical structures, and, in particular, their oral proficiency. Additionally, these methods significantly enhance learners’ motivation. The findings suggest that language teaching should move beyond traditional methods by adopting creative and interactive techniques that are suited to children’s developmental characteristics. In this context, storytelling and play‐based English instruction emerge not only as a vehicle for academic success but also as a practical approach for fostering longlasting and meaningful language acquisition. In addition, recent developments in digital learning environments, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence-based tools have significantly transformed the landscape of language education. These innovations not only facilitate personalized and autonomous learning but also enhance learners’ motivation and engagement. Consequently, integrating technology into language education has become increasingly indispensable, especially in addressing the diverse needs of modern learners across formal and informal contexts.

Keywords:

English Language Teaching; Storytelling; Play‐Based Learning; Child Language Acquisition; Creative Teaching Methods

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How to Cite

Gunes, H. (2025). Storytelling and Play‐Based Activities in English Language Teaching: An Effective Approach to Language Acquisition. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(7), 796–807. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.10465

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 7 (July 2025): In progress

Article Type

Article (This article belongs to the Topical Collection "Language Teacher Training in Rural Environments")

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Copyright © 2025 Hasan Gunes

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.