Story English with Jana Repelová
What inspired your presentation topic, and why do you think it's important for English language teachers today?
I am aware that the use of online tools, apps, and interactive whiteboards is extremely popular among children today. I am not against these approaches at all—in fact, as a teacher, I have seen how much they can support children’s motivation to learn. However, perhaps precisely because of this strong presence of technology, I believe it is equally important to show children the value of quality offline time.
Stories and fairy tales are perfect for this. They can engage children in a way that is just as powerful as technology, while also nurturing their imagination and creativity. At the same time, they provide teachers with a meaningful framework that supports not only language learning, but also children’s self-awareness and shared, enjoyable experiences in the classroom.
Can you share a key takeaway from your session that teachers can immediately apply in their classrooms?
I will try to convince teachers that it truly makes sense to incorporate stories into their lessons. I will show them which types of stories have worked well for me with different age groups, as well as practical ways to use them in the classroom.
The session will be hands-on and interactive, so participants can take away practical tips and strategies they can apply in their own teaching.
What’s one book, resource, or tool you’d recommend to English teachers looking to improve their practice?
It may not be a book, a podcast, or an app. My biggest source of inspiration is observing other people who work with children. I would encourage teachers to visit their colleagues’ lessons and exchange friendly, constructive feedback.
At the same time, inspiration doesn’t have to come only from other English teachers—or even from teachers of the same age group. If you have children of your own, you can learn a lot by observing their instructors, their teachers, or even adults interacting with children in everyday situations.
How do they communicate with children? How do they handle challenging situations or conflicts? How do they speak with parents? What inspires you in their approach—and what would you choose to do differently?
For me, these moments of observation and reflection are key to professional growth, and often to personal growth as well.
Jana Repelová is an English major (Faculty of Arts, MU Brno), lucky enough to spend an Erasmus semester at the University of Oxford, and a teacher with experience at both primary and secondary schools, as well as years of teaching adults.
