The Talk in a New Language
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 4 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Ewan gives his first short talk in a new language and uses photos and drawings when words fail.
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Ewan went to a language class every Tuesday evening. The teacher gave them a job last week. "Next Tuesday, you will each give a short talk," she said. "Tell us about your hometown."
Ewan was afraid. He grew up in a small village by the sea. He did not know many words about it. He put some photos in a folder. They showed boats, a market, a church and his mother's kitchen. He practiced on the bus every day.
On Tuesday, he stood in front of the class. His hands were cold.
"My hometown is small," he said. "It is… it is near the…" He forgot the word for "sea." Then he forgot the word for "fish." His mind was empty. He looked at the floor.
Then he remembered the photos. He held up the first one. "This is a boat," he said, and he pointed at the water. "The men go out at night."
He did not know the word "net." He took a marker and drew a net on the board. A woman in the class said, "A net!" Everyone nodded.
Ewan showed the photo of the market. He pointed at each thing and said its name. When he did not know a word, he drew it. Or he used his hands.
After five minutes, he stopped. The room was quiet. Then many hands went up.
"What do people eat in your village?" asked a man. "Is the water cold?" asked a girl.
The teacher smiled. "Ewan, we want to see the kitchen photo again."
