If we ask the average language teacher or learner if they intentionally approach language learning and teaching while using story-based materials or the structure or logic of story, many of them might say “No.” And when language teachers and learners inadvertently shut out story from learning, we could say that they are making a kind of story mistake. We make a story mistake when we think story works only for entertainment, when we think story structure does not work best for communicating facts, and when we think story logic does not mesh with every aspect of language education.

And why should we think it a mistake not to use story as an essential framework in the teaching of language and communication? As we will see below, humans generally experience messages in stories as more understandable, interesting, enjoyable, and memorable. Story works as a most powerful way to put information into human brains. And story stands as a cultural universal that taps into both the emotional and logical sides of human brains. In a word, story packs a powerful impact.

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