Speaking: Functional Language B1
Narrating Events & Experiences in Detail
Conversation Scenario 💬
Listen to Dara tell his friend Thida about his recent trip. Notice how he uses sequencing words and descriptive language to narrate his experience.
Thida: Hi Dara, how was your holiday? You went to Mondulkiri, right?
Dara: It was incredible! First, we took a minibus from Phnom Penh, which was a long but scenic journey. We arrived in Sen Monorom in the evening.
Thida: What did you do after that?
Dara: The next morning, we visited an elephant sanctuary. It was an unforgettable experience. We got to feed the elephants and watch them bathe in the river. While we were watching them, our guide told us all about the local conservation efforts.
Thida: Wow, that sounds amazing!
Dara: It was! Finally, on the last day, we went to the Bousra waterfall. It was absolutely huge and powerful. The whole trip was fantastic.
Your Storytelling Toolkit 🛠️
Use these tools to structure your story and make it more engaging for your listener.
1. Sequencing Words
Use these words to guide your listener through the story from beginning to end.
- To start: First,... / To begin with,...
- To continue: Then,... / Next,... / After that,...
- To end: Finally,... / In the end,...
2. Time Clauses
Connect two actions by explaining when they happened.
- When the sun set, the view was beautiful. (Connects a specific moment)
- While I was walking, I saw some monkeys. (Connects two actions happening at the same time)
3. Descriptive Adjectives
Use stronger adjectives to make your story more vivid and interesting.
- Instead of "good," try: fantastic, wonderful, amazing, incredible.
- Instead of "big," try: huge, enormous, massive.
Pronunciation Tip
🗣️ The "-ed" Ending in Past Tense Verbs
The pronunciation of "-ed" at the end of regular past tense verbs has three sounds:
- /t/ sound: After unvoiced sounds like p, k, s. (Examples: hoped, walked, passed)
- /d/ sound: After voiced sounds like l, v, n. (Examples: called, lived, rained)
- /ɪd/ sound: After 't' or 'd' sounds. (Examples: wanted, needed, decided)
Practice Narrating 🎯
Activity 1: Put the Story in Order
Read the jumbled sentences about a trip to the market. How would you order them using sequencing words?
- I bought some fresh mangoes and dragon fruit.
- I decided to go to Phsar Leu.
- I rode my moto home.
- I walked around to see what looked good.
Possible Answer:
"First, I decided to go to Phsar Leu. When I got there, I walked around to see what looked good. Then, I bought some fresh mangoes and dragon fruit. Finally, I rode my moto home."
"First, I decided to go to Phsar Leu. When I got there, I walked around to see what looked good. Then, I bought some fresh mangoes and dragon fruit. Finally, I rode my moto home."
Vocabulary Glossary
- Narrate To tell a story or describe a series of events.
- First / Finally Used to introduce the first and last events in a series.
- After that A phrase used to talk about what happens next.
- Unforgettable So special or wonderful that it is impossible to forget.
Your Mission ⭐
Tell a Short Story
Your mission is to tell someone a story about something you did recently (your weekend, a meal you cooked, etc.).
- Start your story with "First,..."
- Use at least one other sequencing word like "Then,..."
- Add at least one descriptive adjective (e.g., delicious, beautiful).
- End your story with "Finally,..."