The Power of Global Literature in ESL Education
Back to BlogOn the evening of March 27th, 2024, our recent outreach attracted over 30 passionate educators from around the state and beyond. This event, a collaborative effort between NYS TESOL and Words Without Borders Campus, was themed "Reading Global Literature with Words without Borders (WWB)." It was a great success. Nadia Kalman, the global education director at WWB, Maggie Valestra, program coordinator at WWB, along with Stephanie Chiu, a veteran ENL high school teacher and adjunct lecturer at Hunter College, Dr. Vargas-Ortega, adjucnt professor and educator with over 17 years of experience working with L2 learners, and Tingeli Huang, Veteran high school teacher led an enriching discussion on the crucial role global literature plays in the educational journeys of English Language Learners (ELLs). In Nadia’s words, “Global literature opens windows to new worlds and experiences, bridging the gap between the familiar and the unknown, essential for fostering globally conscious citizens.”
The session was dynamic and filled with rich exchanges of ideas and practical strategies. Nadia Kalman and Maggie Vlietstra, the staff at Words Without Borders, delved into the expansive array of global literature, from Nobel laureates to slam poets from diverse locales like South Africa and Guatemala. They emphasized the importance of incorporating such rich, varied narratives into the curriculum for ELLs, highlighting how these stories do more than educate—they motivate and reflect the diverse cultures of the students themselves.
A particularly compelling moment came when discussing Jean d'Amérique's "Poem for Children with Trouble Sleeping," often described as a "dark lullaby." This poem juxtaposes the soothing qualities of a lullaby with the harsh realities of violence, offering a profound reflection on the complexities of Haitian life—a country often only seen through the lens of its struggles. This discussion emphasized the importance of context in literature, showing that while literature can confront dark themes, it also reveals the resilience and rich cultural heritage of a nation.
The discussion also touched on how these literary themes resonate universally, allowing students from varied backgrounds to see reflections of their own experiences and insights in the literature discussed. Stephanie Chiu shared effective strategies for teaching such complex texts to ELLs, which included pre-teaching vocabulary, using bilingual resources, and incorporating multimedia elements to enhance comprehension. She suggested practical steps like adding line numbers, providing glossaries or translations for challenging words, employing visuals, and introducing audio in the students' first languages.
As we concluded the webinar, the attendees were encouraged to further explore the vast world of global literature through upcoming sessions offered by Words Without Borders. The organization’s commitment to broadening educational and cultural perspectives was evident as they outlined future initiatives for integrating a wider array of literary works into educational settings from elementary through high school.
For educators looking to deepen their engagement with global literature and its educational advantages, Words Without Borders offers a wealth of resources, training opportunities, and an active community of educators and translators to broaden students’ educational experiences worldwide. Dive into this ongoing dialogue and discover how global literature can transform educational landscapes and foster a deeper global awareness.
Educators interested in continuing their exploration of global literature are encouraged to join upcoming educational sessions, including a special focus on Asian heritage, and to access a wealth of resources by subscribing to the WWB newsletter.
Learn more and subscribe to Words Without Borders here. (https://wwb-campus.org/subscribe/)
Reference:
d’Amérique, J. (2023). Poem for Children with Trouble Sleeping. Words Without Borders. Retrieved from https://wordswithoutborders.org/read/article/2023-08/poem-for-children-with-trouble-sleeping-jean-damerique-nathan-dize/
Written by Tinglei Huang:
Tinglei Huang is an ENL teacher at International High School at Union Square. She passionately supports students who are new to the country, guiding them through their English language learning journey and helping them to seamlessly adapt to a new culture. She holds an MA in TESOL from Teachers College at Columbia.
