90-120min

Herbs, Spices and Your Story: Herbology Storytelling Based on Scents

Learners explore the cultural heritage of herbs and spices through sensory experiences, connecting scents to personal memories, emotions, and storytelling. This multisensory activity encourages participants to reflect on their past, engage with cultural artifacts, and practice language skills in the target language. By smelling, tasting, and discussing herbs and spices, learners develop creativity, active listening, and communication skills while discovering the olfactory heritage of traditional medicine, pharmacy, and culinary practices.

Themes:

Foodscapes

Emotions and associations

Storytelling

Sensory experience

Objectives

Raise awareness of folk herbology heritage and the names of traditional and contemporary herbs and spices.
Explore and engage with artifacts of cultural heritage from specific localities.
Learn storytelling structures in the target language.
Develop creativity, speaking skills (production), and active listening (reception).
Enhance general communication skills through sensory-based discussions.
Learn about olfactory cultural heritage and its role in traditional medicine and pharmacy.
Develop self- and social awareness related to the use of herbs, oils, and spices.
Practice collaboration and sharing associations linked to cultural objects.

Settings

In-person: Folk museums, outdoor settings (e.g., gardens, farms), cultural heritage sites, or classrooms with access to herbs/spices.

Online: Not recommended (requires physical sensory engagement).

Materials

Physical

10+ herbs/spices
Small jars or containers
Labels and markers
Paper, pens
Worksheets (for vocabulary/notes)
Ingredients for tasting (e.g., bread, oils)
Art supplies (for cyanotype/art activities)

Digital

Smartphones (for photos/videos)

Overview

What is it? A sensory storytelling activity where learners explore herbs and spices tied to cultural heritage, using smell, taste, and touch to evoke memories and personal stories. Participants identify, describe, and narrate their experiences in the target language, connecting olfactory heritage to their own lives. The activity can be adapted for museums, outdoor settings, or classrooms and includes artistic extensions (e.g., cyanotype printing or painting with plant dyes).

Step-by-step description

Introduction: Discuss the cultural significance of herbs and spices in traditional medicine, pharmacy, and cuisine. Introduce the activity’s goal: Connect scents to personal memories and stories.
Herb/Spice Selection: Provide 10 different herbs/spices in labeled jars (or let learners label them).
Sensory Exploration: Learners smell each herb/spice and reflect: ”What memory does this remind you of?”; ”What do you feel? Which scent is most evocative for you?” Encourage free association and emotional responses.
Storytelling: Guide participants to tell a story based on their sensory experience. Use prompts: ”Describe a moment from your past connected to this scent.” ”How is this herb/spice used in your home country?”
Optional creative extension: Option 1 (Culinary): Prepare a spiced mixture (e.g., gingerbread or herbal tea) while practicing vocabulary (e.g., measurements, ingredients). Option 2 (Artistic): Create cyanotype prints or paint with plant dyes using herbs. Option 3 (Discussion): Play ”True or False” with statements about herbal uses in history.

Practical insights

What worked well:

Sensory Engagement: Learners loved smelling herbs and working hands-on, which motivated vocabulary practice.
Cultural Connection: Linking scents to personal/family traditions deepened engagement.
Artistic Integration: Activities like cyanotype printing or painting with herbs added a creative dimension.
Language Practice: Role-playing (e.g., buying herbs in a pharmacy) reinforced practical vocabulary.

Common challenges and solutions:

Time Management: Museum opening hours or outdoor logistics may limit time. Shorten the herb exploration or move discussions to a classroom.
Language Barriers: Provide word banks or visual aids for herb/spice names.
Participation Reluctance: Offer writing alternatives (e.g., journaling stories) for shy learners.
Accessibility: Outdoor settings may be difficult for older participants. Choose flat, shaded locations or adapt for indoor spaces.

Field reflections

The activity in Warsaw took place in the Pharmacy Museum, where learners explored herbs and spices while preparing an aromatic gingerbread mixture. The session was divided into two parts: Vocabulary practice in a reconstructed 17th-century pharmacy, where participants role-played as customers buying medicines. A hands-on workshop where they mixed spices, learned their historical uses, and practiced food/pharmacy- related vocabulary. Learners loved the sensory engagement (smelling herbs, mixing spices) and practiced Polish numbers and phrases in a real-world context. The True/False exercise reinforced listening comprehension. Time constraints due to museum opening hours led to a shorter first part; the session concluded in the main museum building with a discussion on Warsaw pharmacists’ history. Language interference between culinary and pharmacy terms required simplification for beginners. It is a highly adaptable activity for any language level, though best suited for museums or classrooms with access to herbs/spices.

In Cluj, the workshop combined herb smelling, tasting, and storytelling with artistic activities (cyanotype printing, herbal pouch-making, and painting with plant dyes). Participants shared personal memories tied to scents and flavors, followed by a creative cyanotype art session. Learners loved the artistic elements (cyanotype, herbal pouches) and food tasting (fresh bread with pumpkin seed oil and herbs). Ice-breaking games created a relaxed, engaging atmosphere. The outdoor setting enhanced sensory exploration and cultural immersion. Accessibility issues for older participants due to uphill terrain; future sessions could relocate to a flatter area. The ”ESCAPE” corner (for children) was underused; moving it to a more visible spot could improve engagement. Hot weather led to omitting the museum tour; the focus shifted to outdoor activities. A highly engaging experience that blended language learning, cultural exchange, and creativity. Participants requested more language practice and larger groups for richer interaction.

In Prague, the activity successfully blended cultural heritage, language practice, and personal reflection through a multisensory exploration of herbs and spices. The sessions began with a pre-task discussion on cooking traditions, and Czech herbs, followed by sensory engagement - smelling and identifying herbs, matching them to a list, and sharing personal stories and memories. Worksheets on herb use reinforced practical vocabulary. The tea preparation and herbarium work further deepened the connection between medicinal traditions and language learning, though the complexity of working with herbariums required advanced language skills. To address this, texts could be adapted for lower proficiency levels, though this might reduce the authenticity of primary sources. The activity proved highly engaging, as participants enjoyed sharing their personal experiences with herbs and remedies from their home countries, drawing on childhood memories and health-related knowledge. Ultimately, this versatile and immersive activity demonstrated its potential to connect cultural heritage with language learning in a meaningful and adaptable way.