English Storytelling Training: Enhancing Students’ Self-Confidence and Speaking Fluency

Abstract

This English storytelling training program was implemented at SMK Fauzul Hasan, a rural vocational high school in Probolinggo Regency, to improve 10th-grade students’ self-confidence and fluency in speaking English. The program addressed key problems such as limited speaking practice, fear of making mistakes, low motivation, and the dominance of theoretical instruction. A creative storytelling approach was applied through four stages: preparation, interactive training sessions, continuous mentoring via the English Speaking Club, and evaluation. Learning activities involved visual media, practice in expression, pronunciation, and intonation, as well as narrative development based on pictures and short stories. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ speaking performance, with 55% of students able to speak confidently and coherently for one minute after the training, compared to 30% before its implementation. Student participation increased, and the English Speaking Club proved effective for sustaining practice. Despite challenges such as limited time, inadequate facilities, and varied proficiency levels, the program demonstrated that storytelling is an effective and engaging strategy for enhancing speaking skills and fostering an active learning environment in rural vocational schools.