What is Dream On Productions?
Dream On is the only company that offers educational entertainment in English in Latin America by native English speaking professionals. Since 2001, we've brought excellent Storytellers and Theatre Groups to Latin America from Great Britain, U.S.A., Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
With offices in Buenos Aires, Dream On works with private schools in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.
We've also worked with public entities such as the British Council in Chile, Chile's Ministry of Education, the South African Embassy in Mexico, the Australian Embassy in Mexico, etc.
Why Storytellers?
Though we have brought Theatre Groups to Latin America in the past, we've found that Storytellers have a greater deal of flexibility to adapt to the different levels of English and ages of each individual audience. They can vary the difficulty of vocabulary and linguistic structures, vary the style of their presentation and adapt the speed of their speech. The flexibility of the Storyteller also allows for all age groups to be included, from 5 to 18.
Why Native Speakers?
Children respond best to authentic situations, such as having a visit from a native speaker. Krashen (1983) says,
"Language is best taught when it is being used to transmit messages, not when it is explicitly taught for conscious learning."
The visit boosts the self-esteem of the students as they feel able to understand and interact with someone who speaks only English.
What Stories do they Tell?
We bring Storytellers whose repertoire includes folktales (lesser known folktales). A visit from a Storyteller with an international repertoire helps students to understand the differences and similarities between cultures and individuals and provides a base to discuss moral values.
What makes folktales so good for language teaching?
"Although they are certainly valuable in their own right - as good stories, as literature, as social and cultural expressions, and as moral teaching - folktales have many special characteristics that make them exceptionally good for language teaching. Their frequent repetitions make them excellent for reinforcing new vocabulary and grammar. Many have natural rhythmic qualities that are useful for working on stress, rhythm, and intonation in pronunciation."
(Extract from Using Folktales by Eric K Taylor)
What is a Typical Session like?
Keeping in mind that each Storyteller has their own personal style, generally speaking, a Storyteller will tell between 1 and 4 stories during a session, depending on the age, level of English, and maturity of the audience members. For young children, shorter stories are used and for older students with more developed English skills, longer and more complex stories.
Professional Storytellers don't read the stories out of a book, as this limits movement and eye-contact with the audience. By using different voices and sounds, facial expressions and body-language and movements, storytellers are able to create images in our minds. Some Storytellers even use small objects and props such as an apple or a scarf, some use musical instruments or include tricks, songs, etc.
What if they don't understand? What if it's too easy?
Our storytellers have considerable expertise at assessing the language level and
needs of the different groups, and they are able to select material which is exactly right for the children. Rossana Moraga, Head of English at Southern Cross School, Chile writes on a feedback form:
Many children |
followed the more specific details |
The majority |
understood the general idea |
A few of them |
only understood fragments |
All of them |
enjoyed the experience |
The sessions are balanced with moments that demand much concentration and other times which are less-exhaustive. Many teachers are often surprised by the reaction of the students, as explained in the quote below, referring to Storyteller Xanthe Gresham:
"I have been at the school for a year and a half and I have never seen the students quiet for more than 5 minutes at a time. For Xanthe, they hung on her every word and thoroughly enjoyed the interactiveness of her performances....even those attending under sufferance!!!"
Val Pohio, teacher, Colegio Británico de Cartagena, Colombia.
And my School? Why not?
Many well-known and reputable schools in Latin America have already incorporated this activity, including a visit from a Dream On Storyteller in their budgets and calendars every year. Some schools must overcome the novelty and hesitation of inviting a Storyteller (not because Storytelling is a new art, but because it is a new activity for the schools and students). Schools we visit every year now recognize that this activity is a potent combination of authentic language usage, native pronunciation, fun, learning, and artistic magic.
The rapid growth of Dream On in Latin America has allowed us to offer sessions at an affordable price. The price of a visit divided by the number of students is usually less than the price of a movie ticket. Storytelling can be done in a large room, multi-purpose room or auditorium at the school, avoiding the cost, security risk, and wasted time that is often of concern when students need to visit an outside auditorium or theatre. We also offer administrative comfort and security, NOT requesting payment ahead of time and offering the option of legal invoices in each country.
- Would you like to hear a story?
The boy realized it was the stone he was sitting on that had spoken. The boy replied, "What does it mean to tell a story?"
Bring storytelling into the lives and learning of your students!
