The role of stories is widely recognised in language teaching. Stories engage the imagination and expose the reader/listener to language patterns and to a rich array of vocabulary in context. Storyline shares these features. In the Storyline approach a fictive world is created in the classroom. Learners work in small groups over a period of typically four to six weeks as characters in a story. Working on open key questions, which drive the story and which carry the curriculum content, learners use and develop their language skills within a meaningful context. And they have fun!

This book is about the power of story to engage and motivate, leading to effective learning: a programme of work based on stories and Storyline is truly learning-centred, allowing the teacher to adapt the level of the task to suit an individual learner's needs, enabling a sense of progress in the learner, enhanced motivation and continued learning.

The book combines a wealth of practical ideas related to teaching with stories and Storyline, and at the same time also inspires teachers to undertake small scale explorations in their own classrooms. It is unique in its uncompromising attention to making links between everyday classroom practice, underlying theory and research opportunities that every teacher can take advantage of.