TPRS & co-created stories

Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling (TPRS): A guide to co-created class stories

Three-part online workshop on learning how to use Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) and co-created class stories in the language classroom delivered live by Dr. Liam Printer of The Motivated Classroom podcast. The online TPRS workshop is aimed at teachers who are new to TPRS or novices with using co-created stories in the languages classroom.

How is the workshop structured?

Three-part online workshop ¦ Two hours each session

Availability:

The April 2027 has just opened.
Register below to secure your place
Workshops are recorded, and recordings are sent to all participants.

Time and Dates:

Format:

The 3-part TPRS and co-created stories Motivated Classroom workshop is delivered online over three x 2 hour sessions
The 6-hour course is delivered over three Saturday afternoons with time in between to allow participants to practice and reflect.

The next 3-part TPRS workshop will take place on:
- Saturday 17 April
- Saturday 24 April
- Saturday 1 May 2027
The 3-part TPRS workshop will take place from:
- 16:00-18:00 Central European Time (Madrid/Paris)
Click here for global time-zone converter

Hello!

i’m Dr. Liam Printer

Hi everyone. I’m Liam and I lead the workshop on TPRS and co-created stories online with you. I’m a published author and I’ve been a teacher of English, French & Spanish in a variety of settings for over 18 years. Currently, I teach Spanish and English at The International School of Lausanne in Switzerland, where I am also an instructional coach, working with teachers across all subjects 1-on-1 to improve their practice. Most recently, I was the ‘Leader of Pedagogical Innovation’, focusing on bringing research into classroom practice. I have been teaching with a CI-based approach for over 12 years and has been invited as the Keynote speaker at a number of international language teaching conferences.

I also deliver lectures on the Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course for modern languages teachers with the University of Oxford, having previously worked on the PGCEi course with The University of Durham and the International School of Geneva. I also deliver training to current language teachers through Bath Spa University’s Network for Learning. I completed my Doctorate on ‘the motivational pull of teaching languages through storytelling with CI’ at the University of Bath. I am the host of The Motivated Classroom podcast which has had over half a million downloads to date.

I have already delivered full day training workshops on TPRS and co-created storytelling at a variety of schools as well as at the European Council for International Schools Multi-Lingual Conference in London.

What will we learn during the workshop?

The workshop is aimed at modern foreign language (MFL) teachers or world language teachers who want to learn more about the Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) method of language instruction and how to start to use co-created class stories in the language classroom to build motivated, engaged learners.
This training workshop on TPRS and co-created storytelling takes participants through the whole story creation process, step-by-step from setting up the ground rules right through to finishing the story and assessing students’ knowledge.
The workshop will demonstrate how to start a TPRS story, build the storyline and narrative through co-creation and story asking.
Throughout the workshop, participants will receive a host of mini strategies, activities and tools that allow teachers to provide rich, compelling, comprehensible inputs (CI) alongside the TPRS story.
For part of the workshop you will be ‘students’ in my class, participating in a ‘live’ TPRS stories and experiencing the magic of a co-created story through the eyes of a student.
At the end of the workshop, participants will have the tools and resources to try out the following techniques in their classrooms:

Setting the ground rules for a TPRS story.
Beginning a TPRS story using student autonomy and inputs.
Building a TPRS co-created story using student voice and ideas.
Developing parallel characters.
Using student images for retrieval practice of the TPRS story.
Embedded readings for more inputs using the narrative from the story.
‘Time writes’ to assess student proficiency at the end of the story.
A variety of ‘classroom jobs’ to build relatedness and bonds in the classroom.
Formal summative assessments of a co-created TPRS story.

What previous attendees said about Motivated Classroom workshops:

All around excellent! So engaging and fun right from the start. Liam’s leadership style, interaction with participants, and command of the information presented were stellar. This workshop exceeded my expectations and provided me with tangible tools I could instantly begin integrating.

TPRS Workshop 2023: Amanda, German Teacher, USA.

Liam presented in a way that was well scaffolded, clear, empowering, and provided strategies that can be implemented easily and right away to my students.

Arwen, French teacher, Canada

This workshop gave us very useful information, student friendly strategies and teachers effectiveness. Dr. Liam gives very specific tasks for us to put into practice what we learn, this let us try the new strategies and have immediate feedback in the next workshop with him.

Lexandra, Spanish teacher, elementary. Quebec.

It was very thoughtfully planned with the perfect ratio between Liam’s sharing some theoretical knowledge/his experience, his doing demos and us trying to apply new knowledge immediately. Perfect balance between theory and practice, and the immediate application part made learning stick. Plus, there was an opportunity to reflect in a friendly and supportive atmosphere which also strengthened the new learning.

Irina, French teacher, Canada.

Extremely engaging filled with practical information I can use right away. I loved being a student in his classroom and having a chance to have a go at it with each other. It was 2 hours per session but felt like 30 min.

TPRS Workshop 2023: Fjola, Danish Teacher.

As a teacher just starting to use CI, I was very grateful for Liam’s step-by-step presentation of how to make TPRS work in a classroom. Despite it being an online format, it became clear how the different stages work due to demonstration and debrief afterwards. Also, Liam’s enthusiastic way of creating a story with us “students” and of talking about this approach was very inspiring.

TPRS Workshop 2023: Marlees, English Teacher, Germany.

Absolutely brilliant course covering all the basics of teaching using Comprehensible Input methods. Highly recommended!

Lucy, French and Spanish teacher, UK

This was a great workshop as it can be hard to imagine what co-creating a story actually looks like when one is new to this approach to teaching. I feel less daunted about this prospect now. You gave some great tips and your use of Prezi presentations is perfect as we can see your face along with the other participants and the tips in the corner. Thank you for your energy and enthusiasm.

TPRS Workshop 2023: Mhairi, Spanish Teacher, Bermuda.

The Motivated Classroom CI Workshop provides such an excellent balance of theory/research and practical tips, along with opportunities for participants to practice skills. The workshop has encouraged me to consider my practice and how I may be able to improve my teaching. I am excited to work to improve my teaching skills in the coming year and am grateful for a supportive community in my fellow workshop participants to reach out to along the way.

Kathryn, Japanese teacher, Australia

What is included in the course fee?

Included in the 225 CHF course fee:

The six hour live and interactive training course (3 x 2 hours)
Pre-course questionnaire analysis
Post-course e-mail support
Three 15-30 minute Q&A videos within 24 hours of each session
All presentations, handouts and resources will be provided digitally
A Motivated Classroom post-course certificate of attendance entitled ”Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling (TPRS): A guide to co-created class stories”

By registering for this workshop, you are also supporting two projects that are close to my heart with 10% of all course fees going directly to:

The Rainforest Trust environmental protection project to help save our planet from destruction.
Providing sporting and integration opportunities to refugees with the EVAM refugee welcome centres

Book your place below:

Reduced fees are available to:

Patrons of The Motivated Classroom podcast
Trainee teachers currently enrolled on a teaching training programme.
People who are currently unemployed.

Current availability

April 2027 course now open:

Places are limited: Secure your spot by registering today at the link below.
I will email you all the resources once you are registered.

Group bookings / Purchase orders:

If you require a purchase order for your school or a pro-forma invoice, please contact liam@liamprinter.com with the details required.
Places are not secure until the payment has been made.

Book here now

Three-part online workshop: Teaching with TPRS
Price range: CHF 200.00 through CHF 225.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page