In the ESL classes taught by the instructors who participated in this study, story was seen as a medium through which to increase the rich- ness of the language learning experience. Instructor 4, for example, noted the benefit of ‘using these personal stories to bring in so much [new] language.’ All five instructors discussed the efficacy of learners’ own stories in introducing new vocabulary. In addition to vocabulary acquisition, the instructors used learners’ personal stories to develop other language skills and structures. According to Instructor 5, storytelling