"I Love to Write My Story": Storytelling and its role in seniors' language

Authors

  • Natalia Balyasnikova
  • Spring Gillard

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v30i2.5428

Keywords:

Storytelling, Educational gerontology, Communty-based Research, Language Learning

Abstract

 This article examines the role of storytelling as an arts-based educational approach in an older-adult immigrant language-learning program. As a special group within the adult language-learner population, immigrant seniors benefit from educational strategies that emphasize recognition of life experience over knowledge accumulation, which is a common goal of more traditional educational approaches. We present a small study of a storytelling class held within the English Conversation Program at the University of British Columbia Learning Exchange. Based on compelling results, we argue that storytelling is a powerful strategy that not only facilitates language learning, but creates a safe, inclusive learning community.

 

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Published

2024-07-09

How to Cite

Balyasnikova, N., & Gillard, S. (2024). "I Love to Write My Story": Storytelling and its role in seniors’ language. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.56105/cjsae.v30i2.5428

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