to make us go...

I have ever studied a really interesting period with Mr Binh,teaching us Speaking subject.
First of all,the teacher divides us into each group of 5 or 6 & gives us the specific situation to solve.All members in group have to imagine,discuss & cooperate together to know how to behaviour perfectly,how to speak E precisely,as well as how to act well.We all try our best to do st exciting & st creative to each other.And then,the teacher will comment on each group & give us the typical behaviour which everyone supposes that it is the best.
I think that this lovely way of study brings us a lot of fun & benifits.Through this enriching & stimulating period,he help us not only develope our communication,presentation skills,but also cultivate social skills such as sharing & cooperation.
I want to give thanks to the teacher who plays an important role in both supplying knowledge and shaping our attitude towards life.

Last week Dathahola had a funny lesson with Mr Thanh Binh. As far as Dathahola can remember he taught us the way how to tell a story. To tell you the truth, It is a kind of tough to me. From that lesson, Dathahola know some ways to make the others want to continue their story, for instance, you can say: Oh ! really- how did you feel?- What happened next?- Too bad- You’re kidding ( with unbelivable content…)-Yes- Oh! No- and so on.
After that Dathahola learnt how to tell a story. Dathahola can cite some typical questions to start a story that Dathahola remember:
-As far as I can remember…
-That time I was first…
-I can’t remember clearly but…
-After that…
- Before that…
And so on Dathahola can’t count all…
But afer shool, It has occurred to me that I don’t have enough ability to make my friends listen to my boring story. Sometimes I stumble over my words, I’m so embarrassed about that.
Thus, Dathahola have colleted a helful lesson about telling story skill and Dathahola’d like to share with you.Have a nice day! Bye!!

Storytelling and persuasion: Selling vs leading
Your first step is to find a story. Not just any story. Find a story you love! You’ll tell it often, and you want to enjoy it every time.
Storytellers learn their stories in many different ways. Some read or listen to a story over and over. Some meditate on it. Some type or write out the story. Some draw charts. Some begin telling the story at once.
HoDathaholaver you do it, you must absorb the story until it becomes second nature. Find the best way for you.
Some parts of the story can be memorized word for word—beautiful beginnings and endings, important dialog, colorful expressions, rhymes and repeated phrases. But don’t try to memorize an entire folktale that way. Strict reciting creates a distance from your listeners that is hard to bridge.
Instead, picture the story. See the scenes in your mind, as clearly as you can. Later, these pictures will help you recreate your story as you tell it—whether or not you consciously call them to mind.
It’s best to practice your story with a “mirror.” This can be a real mirror, or an audio or video recorder, or a friend—anything that helps you “see” how you’re doing.
First practice to get the storyline. Your version won’t convey everything from the story you found, but it must convey enough to make sense. Then, once the story is straight in your mind, focus on how you tell it.
Use repetition.. Pay special attention to repeated rhymes and phrases. Repetition helps your listeners stick with the story by providing familiar landmarks.
Alongside repetition, use variety. Vary the tone, the pitch, and the volume of your voice, your speed, your rhythms, your articulation (smooth or sharp). Use silences. Remember, variety catches and holds attention.
Use gestures, but only ones that help the story. Use them to mime the action, or just for emphasis. Make them big! Gestures keep the eyes on you.
In your story, pay special attention to beginnings and endings. You may want to practice an introduction along with the story. This introduction can tell something about the story or about you. But don’t give away the plot!
Endings should be clear, so your listeners know that your story’s over without your telling them. You can do this by slowing down and adding emphasis. For example, many story endings use a “slow three”—“happily ever after,” “that’s the end of that,” “and they never saw him again.”
Pay special attention also to how you portray your characters. Good characters bring a story to life—so put life into them, with face, voice, gesture, body posture. Try to make each of them different enough so they’re easily told apart.
When portraying two characters talking together, try a trick called “cross-focus": Make each one face a different 45-degree angle.
You’ll tell stories at your best if you prepare not only your story but yourself. Your voice and body are your instrument, and it helps to use them Dathaholall.
To project and sustain your voice, you must breathe deeply and correctly. To check this, place your hand on your stomach. As you inhale and your lungs expand, you should feel your stomach push out. Many people do the opposite, holding in their stomachs and breathing only with their upper chests. Also be sure to keep your back straight, so your lungs can expand fully.
Don’t push your voice too hard or use it unnaturally (except maybe when speaking as a character.) To avoid strain, relax your throat and jaw muscles, and the rest of your body as Dathaholall. A big, loud sigh will help this. Also try the “lion’s yawn”—open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out as far as it goes.
Pronounce each sound of each word distinctly. Tongue twisters are good for making the tongue more nimble.
Don’t think you have to be perfect the first time you tell your story. It’s not likely! But, if you love your story and have prepared it reasonably Dathaholall, you will surely give pleasure to your listeners and yourself. And, each time you tell the story, you and your story will improve.
If possible, tell your story first to friends in a small group. As you gain confidence, perform for larger, less intimate groups. Before long, you’ll think nothing of telling to a large room full of strangers.
Storytellers have their own styles, differing widely. If a suggestion here doesn’t fit your idea of how you want to tell stories, ignore it. Don’t be afraid to try something different, if it feels right.
A good storytelling space is comfortable, intimate, and free of distractions. Check the space ahead of time, so you can spot problems and arrange any special needs—a stool, a glass of water. You may also want time alone just beforehand, to collect yourself, or to “warm up” your voice and body.
Give your listeners the full force of you. Aim your voice at the back row. Make your words ring. Avoid verbal trash like “um” or “y’know.” Sit or stand, but face your audience squarely, and with a straight back. No fidgeting, hands in pockets, or shifting from foot to foot.
Storytelling is magic in part because it’s personal—so make a personal contact with your listeners. Talk to them—not at them—and don’t be afraid to talk with them.
Look them in the eyes. If there are too many of them, or you can’t see them all, look mostly at the ones in front. If some aren’t paying attention, focus on those who are.
As you tell your story, take your time, and give time to your listeners—time to “see” the story, time to laugh, time to feel, time to reflect, time to hang on the edge of their seats for what comes next. It’s easy to go too fast, hard to go too slow. If you’re losing their attention, you may need to slow down! After the story, be sure to leave time for the audience to appreciate you.
Storytelling is interactive. As your listeners respond to your story, let your story respond to your listeners. Make your voice and gestures “bigger” or “smaller.” Stretch or shrink parts of the story. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, so next time you can change, add, or subtract.
Above all, trust yourself, your audience, and your story. Remember, anyone who comes to hear a storyteller is already on your side. Just being a storyteller is magic—even before you say a word.
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Here are some ways to go further with storytelling.
See and hear as many good storytellers as you can. You’ll pick up performance techniques, new stories, and general storytelling magic. Storytelling festivals are wonderful events held all over North America and the United Kingdom.
Take a class. Many colleges, universities, and other organizations sponsor them. This is a fairly “safe” way to begin storytelling, with support and helpful comments.
Join a local storytelling group. Many communities have groups that meet to try out stories or organize performances.
Above all, tell, tell, tell, as often as you can. That’s the best way to learn storytelling!
From: www.aaronshep.com

DATHAHOLA

Hi,everybody!We’d like to introduce ourseves.Our group has 4 girls:Dan,Thao,Hong,Lai,and that is the reason why we choose the nickname dathahola as the initials of each name.At first sight,the word dathahola is the little same as 'aloha' in spelling,huh?
To tell the truth,we all are similar to each other in that we like going swimming,enjoy breathing fresh air,love the beautiful Hawaii(maybe we will visit it someday in the future).So,if we meet U and say 'aloha',don't surprise.Ah,we also like coffee too.You know,sitting & drinking coffee,we can easily observe,think and discuss everything happening around us.Join us and share ur knowledge,feelings and thoughts,please. Dathahola always wants to have a lot of comments, agreement as well as disagreement.
Wish you a happy day !!! Smiling J