College and University Enhancing English as a Foreign Language Learning with Cultural Narratives more

This presentation explores the integration of cultural narratives, such as myths, folktales, and traditional stories, into an extensive reading (ER) component for EFL learners. It focuses on the use of worldoftales.com, a free online resource, where students select stories based on their English proficiency and personal interests. The presentation will demonstrate how a student-centered approach using culturally meaningful texts can support learner autonomy and increase engagement in ER contexts. Attendees will gain practical insights into how such narratives can enrich ER programs and promote deeper cultural understanding. The session will showcase examples of classroom activities, student-selected stories, and feedback that highlight the motivational impact of using diverse cultural texts. The presentation will also share reflections on implementation and challenges, along with practical suggestions for EFL educators on how to incorporate cultural narratives into ER programs to help students expand their reading selections and explore texts from diverse cultural perspectives.