Since 2008, I have worked as a professional storyteller in a wide range of primary schools, starting in England, then in S. E. Asia (China, Macau, Malaysia and Thailand), and now in Europe (Germany, The Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland). Here is a summary of my work:
Quotes from a recent storytelling workshop at the M.IT.A.conference in 2020:
"Excellent and inspirational. Matthew Friday is a gift to the world of education" / "It was absolutely excellent. It was a great idea, and having the kids to show how it is done in real time was an excellent choice. I feel empowered to try this strategy in my teaching." / "This was my favourite workshop. I have immediately used the strategy and my students absolutely loved it, and it has become the highlight of our week. I have also shared it with other teachers who are planning to use it in the classroom." / "This was an exceptional workshop and I came away inspired." / "Fantastic. The way the teacher presented the session and how the children participated was amazing. They didn't take their eyes off him and they were extremely well behaved."
For more references, photographs, story samples, information about narrative psychology theory and more, please contact me.
- Here is an article about how to encourage Grade 1 students to come storytellers.
- Here is an article about a storytelling workshop including a film of an example of my storytelling.
- I created the first ever after-school Storytelling club in schools in London, China, Germany and Switzerland.
- I invented a new method of storytelling - 'Interactive Storytelling' - which children love and can be used by teachers in conjunction with other literacy goals.
- I created an online website resource - The Story Cafe - for teachers to use to help become storytellers.
- I have presented hours of school Professional Development sessions, INSET and Teacher Training college events.
- I have given presentations to academics and teachers at universities and conferences in London and Asia.
- I have been a guest storyteller at storytelling festivals in Thailand and Malaysia.
- I have used storytelling in other educational capacities: as the basis of literacy-focused Summer Schools for language impaired children; entertaining families at school fairs and raising funds for Third-World schools.
- I've also regularly delivered community storytelling workshops at local libraries, museums and art events.
Quotes from a recent storytelling workshop at the M.IT.A.conference in 2020:
"Excellent and inspirational. Matthew Friday is a gift to the world of education" / "It was absolutely excellent. It was a great idea, and having the kids to show how it is done in real time was an excellent choice. I feel empowered to try this strategy in my teaching." / "This was my favourite workshop. I have immediately used the strategy and my students absolutely loved it, and it has become the highlight of our week. I have also shared it with other teachers who are planning to use it in the classroom." / "This was an exceptional workshop and I came away inspired." / "Fantastic. The way the teacher presented the session and how the children participated was amazing. They didn't take their eyes off him and they were extremely well behaved."
For more references, photographs, story samples, information about narrative psychology theory and more, please contact me.
