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How Stories Shape Thinking

A practical course for English language teachers

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How Stories Shape Thinking

A practical course for English language teachers

Sign up today

About the course

Stories are to humans what water is to fish. We are immersed in them, often unaware of how they shape our beliefs and actions.

Stories are everywhere – in politics, law, social movements, business, propaganda, advertising and the media. But just as water can become polluted, so can the stories that shape thinking.

Stories can manipulate, control and divide. They can be used to justify conflict and war. In today’s world, this isn't a distant possibility – it is a present danger.

Understanding how stories work is fundamental to critical thinking. How can a simple human idea have such powerful social effects? That is exactly what you will explore in this course.

Most importantly, you'll equip your students with the critical thinking skills to navigate our story-saturated world.

Sign up today

About the course

Stories are to humans what water is to fish. We are immersed in them, often unaware of how they shape our beliefs and actions.

Stories are everywhere – in politics, law, social movements, business, propaganda, advertising and the media. But just as water can become polluted, so can the stories that shape thinking.

Stories can manipulate, control and divide. They can be used to justify conflict and war. In today’s world, this isn't a distant possibility – it is a present danger.

Understanding how stories work is fundamental to critical thinking. How can a simple human idea have such powerful social effects? That is exactly what you will explore in this course.

Most importantly, you'll equip your students with the critical thinking skills to navigate our story-saturated world.

Sign up today

What You'll Get

Six practical units designed to give you actionable insights you can use immediately in the classroom:

  • Introduction: Story basics
  • Unit one: Film
  • Unit two: Advertising and marketing
  • Unit three: Stereotypes
  • Unit four: Pseudoscience and conspiracy
  • Unit five: Social movements
  • Unit six: Politics

Designed for busy teachers: Units are unlocked every two weeks, giving you time to explore, reflect and apply each topic with your students.

🗓️ First Unit Unlocked on Thursday 19 February

What You'll Get

Six practical units designed to give you actionable insights you can use immediately in the classroom:

  • Introduction: Story basics
  • Unit one: Film
  • Unit two: Advertising and marketing
  • Unit three: Stereotypes
  • Unit four: Pseudoscience and conspiracy
  • Unit five: Social movements
  • Unit six: Politics

Designed for busy teachers: Units are unlocked every two weeks, giving you time to explore, reflect and apply each topic with your students.

🗓️ First Unit Unlocked on Thursday 19 February

Sign up today

Taster

€ TBC

One-time payment

  • One full course unit including videos,  handouts and podcast episode
  • One innovative, ready-to-go videotelling lesson plan
  • 'Try this' ideas and challenges for you and your students

Purchase the taster and receive a TBC€ discount code to use on either full package!

Sign up now

One-time payment

89 €

  • Course content – videos and thinking tasks
  • Q&A sessions with your trainer, Jamie Keddie
  • Six ready-made lesson plans
  • Access to The Stream – the LessonStream community, where you can report back, ask questions and connect with other participants
  • Course certificate
  • Three-week money back guarantee

🗓️ First Unit Unlocked on Thursday 19 February

Sign up now

Schools and institutions

Let's talk

The course can be tailored for schools and institutions – offered online, in person, or as a hybrid.

It can run as a one-day workshop or be spread over two weeks.

If you’re interested, get in touch and let’s talk.

Get in touch

Explore how stories work

and how they shape behaviour and belief

Equip students with critical thinking skills

to navigate our story-saturated world with clarity

Get ready-to-use lesson plans

that spark genuine discussion and collaboration

 

Meet your trainer

For 20 years, Jamie Keddie has been creating courses and resources to help teachers structure their lessons, motivate students and find meaning in their teaching.

He has shared his insights with educators in over 40 different countries, written for Oxford University Press and won a prestigious British Council ELTons award for his innovative ideas on using video in teaching.

Sign up today

Frequently asked questions

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