Graphic Novels as a Teaching Tool for Raising Intercultural Sensitivity in Primary English Classroom

Abstract

As multimodal texts in which both pictures and words are used to communicate meaning, graphic novels are increasingly finding their place in a foreign language classroom. While multimodality supports comprehension and increases motivation for reading in a foreign language, graphic novel contents offer ample opportunities for developing the 21st century skills, like visual literacy, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, communicative competence, and intercultural awareness and sensitivity. The paper explores how primary learners’ intercultural sensitivity can be developed through a number of age- and language-appropriate activities applied before, during and after reading a graphic novel American Born Chinese by Gene Yang (2006). The aim of the paper is to support the didactic potential and pedagogical value of graphic novels to foster intercultural learning and develop empathy in primary English language learners.

Effectiveness of Blended IAET Model in Promoting Higher Vocational Students’ English Reading Comprehension: A Parallel Cluster-Randomized Controlled Study protocol

“…Since the IAET model is centered on students' intercultural awareness in the reading materials, higher vocational English students in this research have actively immersed themselves in cultural knowledge of reading materials in the textbook and strive to comprehend the values, cognitive processes, and life perspectives which has been emphasized by Shen (2019). Moreover, the implementation of IAET model by adding cultural elements in different countries also emphasized the opinion that a foreign language classroom is the most natural setting for teaching students about other cultures (Savić, 2022). In addition, the implementation of the IAET model online tasks with "Xuexitong" platform has also promote students' reading competence by utilizing their fragment time after classes which is enhancement of the research results on the use of Moodle in English education implemented by Prasetya (2021).…”

“…Moreover, a foreign language classroom is the most natural setting for teaching students about other cultures and fostering their intercultural awareness (Savić, 2022).…”