Storytelling Course

Make people want to listen—whether you’re giving a presentation, delivering a report, or sharing your life story in English.

This course is for B2 and C1 level students who need to use English for speaking at length

Goals of the course

  • Sound clear and natural

    Speak in a way that’s easy to follow and impossible to tune out. Use short, well-structured sentences and natural rhythm so your English flows effortlessly.

  • Choose right words

    Say exactly what you mean. Build a rich vocabulary so you can swap vague descriptions and direct translations for precise, powerful words that capture your idea perfectly.

  • Master Storytelling tools

    Learn how to make your stories vivid, engaging, and the perfect length. Discover the essential parts of any great speech—openings, cliffhangers, flashbacks, reflections, narratives etc.

At the end of the course, you’ll take the stage at a real storytelling event and share your speech in English with an audience you’ve never met.

It’s your chance to prove to yourself that you’ve truly unlocked a new skill.

No spots available

What you will work on

  • Go beyond basic explanations. Learn precise words and idiomatic expressions that make you sound like a confident English speaker. Discover key words for every speech and how to check that your translations carry the right meaning.

  • English loves short, clear, well-structured sentences. You’ll learn to avoid speaking your native language with English words. First, I will spot it and teach you to self-correct unnatural phrasing. You’ll be able to do that even after the course ends.

  • Master the essential elements of any story. You’ll learn how to balance clear explanations, emotions, and cinematic detail to keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

  • You will apply storytelling tools to real-life situations: sales pitches, lectures, instructions, self-presentations, or even casual stories with friends. We work on different types of speeches during the course.

  • You’ll learn from the best - you’ll read and listen to modern storytellers, analyze their language and narrative techniques. This will help you move beyond intuition and truly master the art of storytelling, understanding both what you’re doing and why it works.

How will you study? Well, let me tell you a story.

  • 1

    In each lesson, I teach you one storytelling technique. You’ll also get practical tips for speaking English at length—covering grammar, vocabulary, and flow.

  • 2

    We explore how these tips and techniques work by reading and listening to stories told by native speakers. You’ll also get a story to read at home.

  • 3

    You read and analyze the story, looking for the technique we covered in class. Then, you’ll talk about it during the next lesson.

  • 4

    You prepare your own speech for the following class. You always know the type of speech and the topic in advance and use the new tools you’ve learned.

  • 5

    In class, you and your peers share your stories and give each other feedback—especially on the techniques you were practicing. You can learn if the audience understood your idea.

  • 6

    I also give extended feedback on both your narrative and your English. My feedback is detailed and honest. If I am fascinated by your story, I will say so. I also record the speeches and send them out to you.

  • 7

    Sometimes, you won’t prepare a story ahead of time. On those days, we’ll practice telling stories on the spot—just like in real life. That is called impromptu storytelling.

  • 8

    If I see you need extra help with something specific, I’ll schedule a one-on-one session. You can also request one yourself—you have three individual sessions included in the course.

  • 9

    Over time, your speeches become more complex. You’ll have a variety of storytelling techniques to choose from as well as more sophisticated phrasing. I am a very thrilled teacher.

  • 10

    Around this stage, we begin working on your graduation project—your big speech in front of an audience of strangers. You’ll deliver it with confidence… and live happily ever after. The end!

Details and Pricing

$800 per course

I offer a discount for those who pay the full course fee upfront.

or $173 per month

Alternatively, you can choose to pay monthly installments.

Once a week
100-minute class + 90-120 minutes of homework

6 months
24 classes + storytelling event + 3 one-on-ones

Additional costs
All the materials are included in the price of the course

Your Mentor

Marina Friesen (Afanasenko)

At 22, I signed my first international contract, thanks to my fluency in English — one of my strongest skills ever since. It opened doors for me to connect with professionals across Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Sweden, Poland, China, and the USA, where I now live.

My international experience expanded my network and empowered me to teach others. I managed Ukraine’s largest offline English-speaking school, which had ten offices nationwide.

More about my experience

FAQs

  • Speaking and social skills grow best through real interaction. Storytelling requires an audience and different types of feedback on what you share. One-on-one sessions won’t build the same level of confidence as working in a group. Plus, group lessons motivate you to keep coming back and practicing consistently.

  • Absolutely. Each class gives you time to prepare a story and share even more during the session. Having more frequent lessons can actually be overwhelming for busy adults—crafting a good story takes thought and practice. A week between classes gives you the time you need to develop your stories properly.

  • Short “express” courses are popular, but we’re not just learning theory—we’re building a skill that will stay with you for years. Storytelling takes consistency and time. Trust me, six months is a reasonable and achievable period to master such a valuable skill.

  • Yes. You’ll prepare a speech, story, or lecture for nearly every class. This preparation is where you consciously apply the tools we learn. Life can get busy, and missing homework occasionally is okay—but it shouldn’t become a habit.

  • This course is designed for students with a certain level of English proficiency. Beginners will find it too advanced.

  • We start with an introductory meeting to assess your level and choose the right group. After that, I’ll send you a payment link for credit or debit card payment. If you prefer, I can also provide an invoice.

  • Please, read Terms and Conditions before your course starts via this link: https://www.marinafriesen.com/terms-and-conditions

What’s next?

BOOK YOUR SPOT!

Meet me for an introductory meeting. We will find the best group for you!

No spots available

Check out other courses

Looking for something else? Let’s see if I can help.

More courses