Below is my friend's reflection upon her winning of the English storytelling competition in NTNTC. I translated the text for her. Basically it is a literal translation rather than a free translation:
Time（比賽時間）：2003.05.01 Thursday
Place（比賽地點）：南師文薈樓 J404兒童劇場
Story（故事取材）：The Mouse wedding （參考自「Chinese Stories」，東西圖書出版，鄒文莉）
Result（評鑑結果、名次）：優等
Time: Thursday, 1 May 2003
Place: Children's Theater, Room J404 of Culture Luxuriant Building, National Tainan Normal Teachers College
Story Material："The Mouse Wedding", Creative Teaching of Children's English—some Chinese Cultural Stories, Tsou, Wen-li. Eastern and Western P. 2001.
Result: First Rank
心得：
大學時曾上過「英語故事與教學」這門課，在鄒文莉教授的指導下，我決定報名這項比賽；一方面考驗自己的學習成果，另一方面也為自己英語說故事累積經驗。
為了參加這次參加英語說故事比賽，在準備的過程中，我練習了許多次，也請老師、同學們給予我批評、指教；感謝他們總是在我身旁，不吝惜給予指點，成就今日的我。從一次次的練習中，我體悟了許多在課堂上教授所提及的「說故事的要領原則」。確實掌握了這些重點，讓我說故事的技巧果然進步許多，從原本的緊張、出亂子，到從容不迫、信心十足。我想，這些都是我比賽獲獎的關鍵。在此，將自己參加比賽的心得彙整如下：
＊英語說故事技巧
1. 面部表情豐富
2. 臨危不亂，不緊張
3. 動作、語調放得開
4. 和觀眾多眼神接觸
上台後，我已克服恐懼。和評審們目光接觸，我感覺到自己的故事正在精采的發展。我想，這也是獲得評審青睞的主因！
5. 動作俐落，肢體語言豐富
6. 說話速度不要太快
說的是以「兒童」為主要觀眾的故事，語調自然不能過快，能讓觀眾聽懂故事內容，便是成功的關鍵。
7. 位置若有移動，仍要回到舞台中間
8. 發音正確清晰
比賽後聽教授分析，此項為我獲獎的關鍵。因此，指導學生比賽，矯正發音為首要工作。
9. 創造有特色的動作與情節
發展有個人特色情節，可以幫助故事的趣味性。
就如我在故事的最後，為了配合情節—中國新年的大年初三「老鼠嫁女兒」，因此我拿著響鈴，唱跳了一小段含有中國風的音樂，在場的評審全被我逗笑了，也為這個故事添了幾比有趣的色彩，這也是成功的關鍵之一。
10. 投入在故事之中
演說者自己要要能夠感受到故事的魅力，觀眾才能深深地被影響。
有了這次比賽的經驗，使我更能掌握「英語說故事」的要點；透過這次的比賽，觀摩他人的storytelling 之後，也更清楚自己的優點為何，而缺點如何改進。
「Jasmine！恭喜妳！得到了優等！」比賽結束後，心情是無法言喻的喜悅；喜悅的不僅是來自評審的肯定，更甚者為自我的提升與成長！我相信，敢去嘗試，就會有意想不到的收穫！
整合自己英語說故事的心得，不禁引發我思考—如何應用在教學方面。日後若有機會指導學生參加英語說故事、英語演說、英語朗讀比賽，指導的重點不僅有以上所提諸點「英語說故事技巧」，更要讓學生不斷地練習；唯有在練習之中，才能更正錯誤與增加熟練度。成功是留給有準備的人，如果有機會，我必然樂意奉獻所長，指導學生參加英語比賽！
What I have learnt:
I decided to participate in English Storytelling Competition when I was an undergraduate who took Professor Tsou Wen-li's course of "English Story and Teaching". The reason why I participated in the competition is two-folds. First, I hope to examine my own study result; and secondly, I hope to accumulate experiences of telling English stories.
I have tried to practice as many times as I could during my preparation, including practicing in front of my professor and classmates. I am very thankful toward their generous companion and instructions. From numerous practices, I realized the "Principles of Storytelling" instructed by Professor Tsou in her lecture. I came to realize that I am able to make great progress only if I command these principles. I advanced from a nervous speaker to a confident one. The following are the key points I have collected after the practice and competition:
＊ Storytelling skills:
1. Abundant facial expressions
2. Stay calm and don’t get nervous
3. Speak with a confident tone
4. Have eye contacts with the audience
After stepping on the stage, I have conquered my fear. Having eye contacts with the examiners helped me to feel confident about my attractive story. I think this may be the main fact that I was able to earn the First Rate!
5. Add rich body language
6. Don’t speak too fast
Since I am telling stories to a "children-oriented" audience, my tone and speed should not be too fast. The key to success is to let the audience understand the content of the story.
7. Remember to return to the center of the stage after making any movements.
8. Speak with correct pronunciation
In the after-competition analysis, the examiner professors pointed out the key of my winning is my correct pronunciation. I presume this is also the primary task when instructing students to participate in contests.
9. Create featuring action and plot
Developing characteristic action and plot help enhance the attraction of the story. For example, I danced and sung a short Chinese lyric with a ring in order to match up the plot—marrying a daughter on the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. When I did that, the examiners were all amused by me and laughed. I think the amusement I added is another key to my winning.
10. Enjoy your own story！
Only when the speaker enjoy the charm of his/her own story can his/her audience be influenced by the storytelling. Through this competition, I have learnt the method to command the principles of English storytelling. Meanwhile, I have also improved a lot by observing others' storytelling.
"Congratulations Jasmine! You earned the First Rate!" The pleasure within my heart was beyond words after the competition result was announced. My pleasures come from recognition of the examiners and the enhancement of my ability! I believe that harvest is always there only if we can give ourselves a chance to try!
When integrating what I have learnt through this English storytelling competition, I was left to ponder—how can I apply the skills to my teaching? If I have a chance to instruct students to join English storytelling, English speech, or English reading competitions, my instruction principles will include more than the ten points I have mentioned above. Furthermore, I will keep my students practicing because only practice can make perfect. In a word, Heaven helps those who help themselves; if I have a chance in the future, I will be willing to contribute what I have learnt to instruct students to participate in English speaking competition!
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