Uploaded by Gaelic Arts
Storytelling is a much more powerful way of teaching and learning than straight lecture or reading. It’s effective for two key reasons. First, it provides a structure that is easier to remember than straight delivery of facts and information. Second, it provides a unique context for the new information that adds heavily to understanding.
If you’re ever read the Joys of Yiddish, there’s a very unique approach that helps with the understanding of the language. Instead of providing a direct translation, every word is described with a story. The story is much richer than the definition. For example, there are two companion words Shlemiel and Shlimazel. The simple definition is that a Shlemiel is a clumsy oaf. A Slimazel is someone with constant bad luck. By tomorrow, you’ll forget these words. However, if I describe them as the Shlemiel is the one who always spill his soup. The Shlimazel is the one he always spills it on. Better understanding and better retention.
So if you want to learn faster and retain more, tell and listen to stories. It really works.
Copyright LPI 2008 4 of 101
