engage (someone's) attention

Translations
привлечь внимание (кого-то)
The teacher managed to engage the students' attention with an interesting story.
Учителю удалось привлечь внимание учеников интересной историей.
Definitions
To capture or hold someone's interest or focus, often through conversation, activities, or compelling content.
Words
attention

noun
внимание
engage

verb
вовлекать