Orientation through Stories: Storytelling as a Method in Adult Education
connect with others. But storytelling is more than just telling stories – it is a powerful method in adult education.
In this workshop, participants explore how stories can stimulate learning, make personal experiences visible, and open up new perspectives. Through short exercises, shared storytelling, and reflection, participants experience storytelling in a practical and accessible way. By the end, they will ideally take away new ideas and inspiration for how to use stories and storytelling in their own work with adult learners – or at least a renewed desire to enjoy meaningful storytelling moments in everyday life, both for themselves and with others.
Duration:
Flexible from 2 hours to 2 days
Target group(s):
People working in (adult) education
Content:
- Why do stories move us?
We begin with a short story. Participants just listen and directly experience how stories can capture attention, create images, and evoke emotions. - What stories are part of my life?
In an interactive icebreaker activity, participants share small stories from their own lives. This creates connection, makes experiences visible, and strengthens the sense of being the “author” of one’s own stories. - Why are stories a powerful method?
Introduction to storytelling as a method in adult education: why stories provide orientation, anchor learning emotionally, and encourage exchange – and how we can use them ourselves (including a short introduction to the StoryComp project). - What makes a good story?
The basic elements of a story: participants explore how to develop a story in a short and simple format. - How do we actually tell stories?
Storytelling is much more than speaking words. What does it involve? What makes it effective? And how much do we understand when we don’t speak the storyteller’s language? - What do I take away?
A final exchange on participants’ impressions, ideas, and – hopefully – inspiration for their own work or everyday life.
Workshop impressions
Highlights from the workshop held during the EPALE and Erasmus+ Conference 2026: ‘Learning to Navigate: Orientation, Learning and Decision-Making as Key Skills for the Future’
Credit: OeAD/APA-Fotoservice/Martin Hörmandinger [https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/ueber-uns/fotograf/49]
Transnational Workshop in Schweden (StoryComp)
Credit: Antoine Kebaili [https://www.antoinekebaili.fr/] for the StoryComp Project