Examining the Effectiveness of Storytelling in Developing English Language Skills among Preschool Children

This study examines the effectiveness of storytelling in developing English language skills among preschool children, with a focus on vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation, and confidence in speaking. Language development in early childhood is foundational for literacy, cognitive growth, and socio-emotional skills, yet many Malaysian preschoolers have limited exposure to English. Storytelling offers a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and interactive approach that combines verbal expression, visual aids, gestures, and narrative structure to provide meaningful language experiences. Using a qualitative observational method, ten preschool-aged children participated in structured storytelling sessions, and their language use, pronunciation attempts, and participation were systematically observed. Findings reveal that storytelling significantly enhances vocabulary acquisition, improves pronunciation accuracy, and fosters self-confidence in oral communication. Children demonstrated increased engagement, willingness to participate, and ability to apply newly learned words and expressions in meaningful contexts. The study underscores the importance of teacher scaffolding, parental involvement, and structured storytelling activities in early childhood curricula. Overall, storytelling emerges as a powerful pedagogical tool for promoting English language development, social-emotional growth, and lifelong communication skills in preschool learners.