I spent last weekend at Emerson College
in East Sussex taking a storytelling course, and I'm so glad I did! The
facilitator, Louise Coigley, is truly exceptional. A Speech and
Language Therapist and Storyteller, she works mainly with disabled and
troubled children and their teachers. An international workshop leader,
she has even been to Wolfville, N.S.!
Over
the three days, Louise shared an abundance of tips and ideas, stirred
our imaginations and renewed our love of story. I came away from the
time enriched by the material, the people and the place, keen once more
to communicate via story and convinced of its incredible ability to
convey powerful truths that lead to transformation. Lynn on...pilsdonventure.blogspot.com
Buxton Children's Festival November 1st 2008:
''Brilliant! The best and most differentiated workshop that I have ever taken my child to...''. Mother of a boy with severe Down's Syndrome
''My grandson went to your very recent
session in Buxton and his pictorial account of your story of the little
boy who dreamed the train journey is so clear in the 20 panels he has
drawn that I can read it as though it were a written book. Although he
cannot read or write it is so thrilling to see how he takes in the
story and the detail he is able to translate pictorially. This is a
measure of his understanding and his ability to communicate. Thanks for
the opportunity you gave him.
Granddad''.
Lis'n Tell can be used with children from two years old upwards and adults with a wide variety of Speech Language and Communication Needs.
by Warwick Goble
The Latest Evidence:
(Please left click on right hand column quote for more testimonials...)
November 2009:
(Following the Lis'n Tell 2 day training) 'I am still developing my interactive story-telling skills in my work with children in mainstream schools. I have adapted 3 well-known stories and am about to roll out my own!! One school has very much embraced this form of therapy and all the children on that caseload are involved in story-telling groups. We have had great outcomes and school staff feel the children are generalising their skills into a classroom setting. The children are Key stage 1 (4-7 years). They primarily have delayed or disordered/persistent language difficulties. Many also have difficulties with attention and listening and/or social communication. A small number have ASD.' Kate Weeden, Speech and Language Therapist, Speech and Language Therapy Schools Team, Wembley Centre for Health and Care, Brent PCT
'We have had such good feedback about the Lis'n Tell sessions from the Teachers and children (Year 7's) that we would like to continue next year if possible...'.Glebe Specialist College for Cognition and Learning for children from 11 to 16 years old
''We have now run a pilot of
our Lis'n Tell groups with 3-5 year olds under our local Sure Start
project - with amazing results! We have really enjoyed the
groups, and have had such positive feedback from the Nursery staff and
all the children involved. The children have really amazed us with the
development of their imagination during the course of 5 short weeks. We would both like to thank
you again for your wonderful training in Stirling in June - it really
has been inspirational, and we are finding it a genuinely usable
approach for Nurseries to manage''.
Speech and Language Therapist,
Grangemouth Health Centre,
Kersiebank Avenue, Grangemouth, Scotland.
October 09
''I was at your course last June. Just wanted to tell you I started daily sessions with my small group and they are going fantastically well. We videoed the second session and then again a fortnight later and the improvements were already evident. One of the children in my group had until then refused to participate in group sessions. She is now engaged, participating in the actions and the words and really enjoying it. Another child would not remain seated during group sessions and is now focused and participating with the actions. I also do larger sessions once a week. The staff all love it too and my head teacher thinks it is marvelous. I have adapted quite a few classic fairy tales into the Lis'n Tell style and am really enjoying it all myself. Thanks so much for showing us this style of story telling. I just new it was going to change the lives of my pupils and it has''. Lesley Cooper, Teacher of children aged 4-9 years old, St Duthus Special School, Tain, Scotland.
'I
have been using the techniques on the class I was finding most
difficult due to their levels of language and learning. It has worked a
treat! One girl in particular, who has only about 2 word level
understanding and, who to be honest I wasn't expecting to get much out
of it, began to join in with the chanting.Another little boy shouted
across the play ground to me "Oi, get off our train." Thank you so much
this has really transformed my therapy'.
Samantha Lister SLT who attended Lis'n Tell residential, Nov 07
''
Well, I have to say that I've been using your technique since the day I
got back to work after the conference, and it's working like a dream.
The repeated structure, the repeated phrases + gestures and the
engaging context of a story are immensely powerful in enabling children
to learn language''.Michelle
Buckman Australian Speech Pathologist who attended Lis'n Tell workshop
at Australian National Conference, Sydney, May 2007Samantha Lister SLT who attended Lis'n Tell residential, Nov 07
I attended your Live Inclusive Storytelling training in December 06 and found it inspiring!
I work at a special needs school for children with moderate learning difficulties.
I've used your training with one teenager there who seemed to be tiring
of traditional speech work. I discovered that he has a passion for
drama and travel and wanted to tap into these interests.
He decides what kind of story he would like (for the latest one he said
he wanted something about Japan), I find something he might like, we go
through it together and he elaborates on points, takes the story in the
direction he wants and we identify key sounds/words he has difficulty
with.
We use picture symbols or props and he re-tells the story each week in
our session. His therapy target is to self-correct his speech errors.
He has a chart with the target sounds/words on and he ticks them if he
self-corrects unprompted, for example.
He seems to really enjoy the sessions now and I have noticed a great
improvement in his motivation as well as his ability to self-monitor.
He keeps saying that he wants to 'perform' one of our stories to the
primary school at the end of term!
I also work at a Further Education college with young adults with
learning disabilities. I've really encouraged the drama tutor to use
Interactive Storytelling and that seems to be taking off.
I take a group and there were two young men who I struggled to get
involved in any activities but at the end of the session, we have gone
through 'Chicka-boom' - fantastic! Those two young men really engage
with it in a way I haven't really seen them engage with anything else -
they make suggestions, they make comments, and they laugh! Helps with
articulation, confidence, group cohesion.
S.C Speech and Language Therapist, Eastern Coastal Kent
Other Feedback:
October 2009
The Sheiling Camphill Residential School for Children with Special Needs:''You bring such a free and creative flow of inspiration to Story Telling which is extremely inspiring, accessible and empowering for everyone.
It is rare to find someone who has such a wealth of experience relating to pupils with levels of ability such as our students.A highly enriching, educational and entertaining day''.
Sarah Palmer, Speech and Language Therapist
''The best training workshop in forty years!'' Michael, Learning Support Assistant
''The day was both inspiring and educational. Many who I have spoken to have agreed that the learning process for building communication skills was the best we have ever had in all our training sessions, ever''. Axel Keim, Teacher of Woodcarving, The Sheiling
September 09
The National Association of Logopedists Athens, Greece:
''...a very pleasant surprise!!!!!!!!
You showed me another perspective of what speech and language therapy can be.
I already started using storytelling. I am so enthusiastic about your seminar....''
SLT Participant at The Lis'n Tell training for The Panhellenic Association of Logopedists, Athens, Greece, September 09
- I was impressed with how quickly Louise assessed the childrens temperaments and drew them in appropriately.
- Louise picked up on one of the girl's comments and immediately gave her the role of the Mamma, making her a real part of the story. This girl had been ostracised by one of the other girls in the group, making this opportunity particularly important for her.
- The children loved using the props. The story was at their level and her timing was brilliant, drawing the story to a conclusion as the session ended.
- We were also impressed with how quickly you remembered the childrens names and used them.
Teachers of Year 7,8 and 9 students at St. Philip's School, Kingston, where Lis'n Tell workshops launched their Creative Education course this year.
August 2009
Louise worked with Danya Miller to perform ''It was a Dark and Stormy Night'' based on the story by Janet and Alan Ahlberg at The Edinburgh Fringe. Their show received four and five star reviews and reached the top 5 HITLIST! out of about 100 childrens' shows in the Fringe Magazine: The List.
July 2009
''Thank
you for a fabulous training, what a wonderful morning we all had! The
response was so positive and several of my team have already rushed
into schools with new ideas and inspiration!''
Language, Communication and Interaction Team
Learning Support Service
Learning and Schools, C&YPS, Newham
March 2009
Feedback from Lis'n Tell introductory day, Fiveways Special School, Somerset:
''Brilliant! A really practical and fun day to build communication and storytelling into positive relationships with children''.
Janette Parker, Advisory Teacher, Social and Behaviour Support Service(SEBSS)
'A most informative day. I can't wait to take this back to my school...''. Dawn Speed, Redstart School, Chard
''A fantastic day, I can't wait to try storytelling with my group of children with severe language difficulties''. Sue Harrison
''...taught me new skills to use with young people with SEBD''. Ali Chown, Play Therapist
''A fascinating insight into active storytelling and wonderful techniques to draw out children to participate at their level''. Naomi David, Teacher, Fiveways School
''It drew the creative side of us out. We will use this in mainstream, it has enriched us''. Tracy P and Sally K Milford Junior School
''Lots of food for thought. I will change my practice''. Valerie Stewart, Speech and Language Therapist, Fiveways School
February 2009
''One of the best inset sessions we have ever had. Incredible team building and brilliant techniques. We are going to invite you back and develop this...''.
Keith Seed, Head Teacher, Glebe School, a specialist college in cognition and learning, Bromley, Kent.
Following an open one day intro to Lis'n Tell requested by postgraduate SLT students after attending a session at Greenwich Medway University:
'...what a very positive, enjoyable day it's been. It has strengthened my belief in the way I approach the children I work with, and has given me some really concrete, exciting ways to take that forward. I am really heartened by the way that you celebrate the strengths of this group of children with whom we work'. GH - Research Speech and Language Therapist currently working in clinics while doing an MSc
November 08
From the latest Lis'n Tell two day training for Speech and Language Therapists -Nov 14th -16th 08
''I just wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed the weekend that we
did on storytelling. I find that I am thinking and incorporating bits
into my in class experiences that I run weekly. I was also able to
influence one of the teachers to get more interactive and inclusive
with the children as she was doing the "Fairy Tale" She found that the children loved it and one
child who always falls asleep in class did not hardly blink as she was
the princess!''
Robin Barwise MSc SLT
Since our weekend, I have begun planning an inclusive storytelling care
package for working with children with autism in a Mainstream setting. I have
also used a storytelling approach with reception and year 1 children with
fantastic responses. One little girl had been previously distracted and non-compliant
and was engaged for a whole half hour. One of my lead LSAs has begun
using some of the stories with nursery
age children and has been impressed with their increase of vocabulary, particularly
verb use.
Kate Weeden SLT Speech and Language Therapy Schools Team Brent PCT
October 08
Workshop for East Sussex Early Years Support Scheme and Care Co-ordination Programme
for parents and professionals
Sample evaluation comments:
- Wow! Fantastic! Would have liked the session to have carried on all day!
- Wonderful enthusiasm. Very entertaining & inspiring
- Excellent, re-awakened ideas & knowledge. Lovely mix of practical & theory
- Enjoyed the session very much & feel that I can pass information on to other staff members. Very good, all participated well.
June 08
Lis'n Tell staff inset training and demonstration class sessions at Brookfield School for children with Learning Disabilities:
'' At first I thought - Oh, storytelling - they're not very good at sitting! Then, when I went to the staff session I thought 'Right! that's on our wavelength...'. Then when you came to my class, I was impressed. It could have gone on all day. We'll carry it on, we've got lots of ideas from you to work on now.You remembered all their names, and you honed the story to their needs, it was brilliant''.
Liz Lear, Class Teacher KS2
''I've never seen a story done like that! The interaction with the children was so focused...'. Rob, General Support Assistant
''The children were all so involved. Even the ones with such attention difficulties''. Mrs Vincent, Regular Supply Teacher
May 08
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Department Redbridge NHS PCT May 6th and 7th 2008:
- Found it very useful to have examples of how language concepts can be incorporated into the storytelling. Neema Salema SLT
A very empowering positive approach to training. Jenny Zentina SLT
Inspiring!
Loved the practical delivery of the training
Can't wait to try out new strategies
Good range of communication disabilities covered. Caroline Booth SLT
I liked the opportunity to reflect/debrief/share experiences at the end of the course. Alice Denwood SLT
This two day course was awakening. Through modelled examples of storytelling methods and techniques I was able to learn new ideas. I was taken back to my childhood when storytelling and listening were part of everyday life! Sophie Rawlings SLT
Absolutely fantastic two days! An important part of our work is linking activities with targets and curriculum areas, so it has been useful to concentrate on this. Anon participant
It was really nice to explore SLT targets in a free and creative way. Seema Garg SLT
Excellent!I definitely feel much more confident in working with groups of children,and have a ssound rationale as to how and why stories can be adapted to target complex communication needs. The structure was good free flowing...a supportive and non -confronting environment.
The best team building exercise so far! Chris Wade SLT
January 2008
'Within her work with two student theatre companies (D.I.C.E. and Bubble and Speak) Louise inspired and opened a whole new world to the students equipping them with a language and skills which they absorbed with relish and were able to transfer (with confidence) to their performance work with young people with profound and moderate learning disabilites. Louise's training is richly layered; exercising great integrity and creatvity resulting in profound work that resonates on many different levels. It has been a privlege to meet and work alongside her. The students in both companies were left enriched, empowered and better able to realise their performances. Long may our collaboration continue!'
Sian Stevenson,
Drama Lecturer and Theatre Practitioner
University of KentDrama Lecturer and Theatre Practitioner
June 07
"The session was a knockout! It gave me so much to think about...I'll need days if not years to process it. Some people are working on the surface, but your work has such depth and resonance that it is really important that more people know about it."
Dr Norman Alm, School of Computing, Researcher in Augmentative and Alternative Communication(AAC), University of Dundee,
who attended one of the Lis'n Tell workshop at the Australian National Conference of Speech Pathology, May 07.
In his Keynote speech, at the Australian National Conference of Speech Pathololgy, Sydney May 07, Dr Alm described how, 'making gestures help us to think'.
June 07
'What you offered the participants was a fresh and creative and
very warm way of relating to children with communication difficulties.
The workshop activities helped us get in touch with our intuition and
creativity and humanity, a very rewarding experience for everyone
present. I think that your approach has so much potential and I wish
you all the best in opening up these possibilities to people in the
future'.
Prof.Jennifer Bowes, Director, Children and Families Research Centre,
Institute of Early Childhood,Macquarie University. New South Wales,
Australia 2007
May 07
''Louise has a remarkable ability to listen deeply and offer each person imaginative and empowering tools to strengthen their unique voice. She brings sensitivity and passion to her work. She has been a mentor to me for about five years, when I was at The School of Storytelling in England, and then at work in Australia. I have drawn upon her experience and practice for my own storytelling performances, as well as directing actors. Her guidance with 'Look'em in the Eye', a theatre peice that I directed for The Dreaming International and Indigenous Festival in 2007 was invaluable. Louise is a masterful storyteller. Her dynamism, warmth and humour captivate her audience. She is truly inspirational''. Dvora Liberman, Director of Young Audiences, Sydney Opera House, Australia 2006-2008, Storyteller and Theatre Practitioner
May 2007
''Live Inclusive Storytelling. Animated UK Language Therapist and
Storyteller, Ms Louise Coigley presented this workshop for more than 50
parents and teachers at the Bishan Community Library. Ms Coigley gave
an insightful session about the Lis’n Tell techniques of storytelling.
This approach would be particularly useful for parents and teachers who
work with children and teenagers with special needs. The speaker also
made many recommendations of good reads in our collection''.
Bishan Library Singapore
December 06
''One of the main things I learnt from this course is that storytelling can encompass many areas of speech and language therapy,including phonology,sequencing etc''
SLT participant on Eastern and Coastal Kent Lis'n Tell training, Dec 06
''For our new graduate Therapists, the course has given them a very strong understanding of following the child's lead and being flexible with therapy delivery''.Ann Clemence,SLT Manager, Therapy Service for Schools, Eastern and Coastal Kent Dec 06
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Lifeways Community Conference, Emerson College, July 2008
''...thank you for a most enchanting,
creative and playful week last week at Lifeways. I learned such a lot and
working with you has really opened up so many more possibilities for me. Thank
you so much. I found the way that you work so empowering and inclusive....''. Danya Miller, storyteller, participant at the Rapunzel workshop: 'Let your hair down !' Lifeways Community Conference, Emerson College July 08
