USING CLIMAX TO ENHANCE THE IMPACT OF STORYTELLING IN EFL SPEAKING CLASSES

Storytelling is a critical skill in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms, yet many learners produce flat, unstructured narratives that fail to engage listeners. This study investigates the pedagogical value of teaching climax—the arrangement of events or ideas in ascending order of intensity—to enhance the impact, coherence, and emotional resonance of students’ oral stories. A quasi-experimental study involving 48 intermediate-level EFL learners was conducted, with 24 students in an experimental group receiving explicit instruction on climax, and 24 in a control group following standard storytelling practice. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests, transcription analysis, and learner perception questionnaires. Results indicate that students taught to use climax produced more structured, engaging, and persuasive stories. Learners also reported increased confidence and creativity. This study recommends integrating climax-focused instruction into EFL speaking curricula to improve both storytelling ability and overall communicative competence.