Language for Peace Forum
Featured Resources
Films for Exploring Intercultural Communication
Want to find a film for discussing intercultural issues or observing intercultural communication? With contributions from members of TESOL’s Intercultural Communication Interest Section, Jeremy Slagoski has compiled this excellent playlist of trailers of films related to intercultural communication. From a peace education perspective, it could be interesting to notice how people of different cultures speak to each other, … Continue reading
Dealing with Culture Shock
How do you deal with the frustrations and annoyances that come with navigating intercultural contexts? In the article Culture Shock: How to Snap Out of It, Kris Acheson-Clair, who has a PhD in Intercultural Communication and grew up as a “Third Culture Kid” shows that no matter how frequently we move between cultures in our language learning and teaching, we will still experience elements of culture shock. Continue reading
Changing the World, One Story at a Time
What stories have you heard that have transformed your life? This is a fundamental question underlying the StoryCorps project. With the mission “to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world,” the project invites people from all over the United States to share their stories. Continue reading
Book Review: Teaching Fairly in an Unfair World
Teaching Fairly in an Unfair World by Kathleen Gould Lundy As a classroom teacher, I was always on the lookout for resources that would help me connect what we were doing in school to students’ lives. One of the most helpful resources was a book called Teaching Fairly in an Unfair World by Canadian author Kathleen … Continue reading
Teachers as Leaders Who Engage, Inspire and Embolden
Connecting authentically with learners, enlarging the context of language learning, and cultivating a culture that promotes courage in the classroom are keys to creating an environment for successful language learning and peace education. Continue reading
Listening Practice with World Peace Library
Check out the World Peace Library‘s over 300 audio recordings of inspirational stories and lectures. Global peacebuilders, social change leaders, scientists, Indigenous elders and spiritual mentors share their insights on various peace topics ranging from inner peace to international peacebuilding. How might you use these materials in your class?
We Learn by Doing
For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. (Aristotle) Learning by doing is not a new concept. Artisans such as stonemasons, bakers, playwrights, songwriters, blacksmiths and tailors have mentored their apprentices in specialized crafts and in a workshop context for centuries. The items they created had practical … Continue reading
Book Review: Better Than Carrots or Sticks
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” –widely attributed to Frederick Douglass, pg 1 I’m beginning my review of Dominique Smith, Douglas B. Fisher and Nancy Frey’s excellent book Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management in the same way they begin the first chapter: a reminder that … Continue reading
Are We Different People in Different Languages?
I read an article, Are We Different People in Different Languages? a few weeks ago, and it was chock full of interesting ideas. I shared an article a little while ago that has similar themes to this one, but I wanted to share this one as well because along with some fascinating theoretical discussion (and a … Continue reading
Creating Space for Peace with Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices
One part of peace education is creating a classroom environment in which students can experience a peaceful space. In the often high-stakes world of language learning, testing, and curriculum goals, it can be a challenge to integrate opportunities for this. Continue reading
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