The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to investigate how the use of literature as a medium can help implement cultural learning in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes. Thus, the present work addresses the benefits and challenges of using Angie Thomas' novel "The Hate U Give" to foster intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in 9th grade EFL students.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement received a considerable amount of support after the death of George Floyd in 2020. All over the world, people took to the streets to protest against racism and police brutality. Also in Germany, people of all ages took part. This movement shows that young people are interested in the issue and want to learn more about it. Accordingly, this can be seen as a reason to educate them, because in a world that seems to become more and more polarised, the ability to think critically is more important and indispensable than ever.
To answer the research question, the second chapter will describe cultural learning. In addition, it takes a closer look at ICC according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), briefly outlines Byram's ICC model, which forms the basis for my lesson plan, as well as the principles for inter- and transcultural learning, and the concept of Global Citizenship Education. Moreover, by introducing a cross-curricular model called Confronting Prejudice Responses (CPR) model, which is a strategy to confront prejudice that has proven to be an effective means of reducing prejudice and therefore, it will be applied to the EFL classroom. After explaining these theories relevant to cultural learning, this paper will relate them to literature by presenting the benefits and challenges of literature for intercultural and transcultural learning and will further introduce types of tasks to promote intercultural competence through literature.
After this, the third chapter clarifies the analysis of the potential for inter- and transcultural learning with the young adult novel "The Hate U Give" (2017) by Angie Thomas. Following this, by referring to the core curriculum for secondary level 1 in North Rhine-Westphalia, the learning objectives for using Angie Thomas’ novel in 9th grade will be outlined along with a description of my lesson plan.
Finally, a discussion with a reflection in chapter four is explained, followed by a conclusion in chapter five, which gives a brief summary and critique of the findings.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical framework
2.1 Cultural learning
2.1.1 Intercultural Communicative Competence according to the CEFR vision
2.1.2 Intercultural Communicative Competence by Byram
2.1.3 Principles for inter- and transcultural learning
2.1.4 Global Citizenship Education
2.2 The CPR model: Decisions involved in confronting prejudiced responses
2.3 Teaching culture using literature
2.3.1 Potentials and challenges of literature for inter- and transcultural learning
2.3.2 PWP model of lesson planning
2.3.3 Task types for promoting intercultural competence through literature
3. Analysis
3.1 Analysing the potential for inter/-transcultural learning with the young adult novel by Angie Thomas
3.2 Learning objectives for the 9th grade
3.3 Lesson plan
4.0 Discussion
5.0 Conclusion
6.0 Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
The bachelor thesis investigates how literature, specifically Angie Thomas’ novel The Hate U Give, can be utilized to implement cultural learning and foster intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in 9th grade English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms.
- Implementing cultural learning through the medium of literature in EFL classes.
- Promoting intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and critical reflection skills.
- Developing strategies to address and counter discrimination and prejudice.
- Applying the Confronting Prejudice Responses (CPR) model and the PWP (pre-, while-, post-reading) model.
- Integrating Global Citizenship Education with literary analysis.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Analysing the potential for inter-/transcultural learning with the young adult novel by Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas is the story of a 16-year-old teenager called Starr Carter, who vacillates between her identity as a black woman in her inner-city neighbourhood, which is dominated by gangs and drug dealers, and her identity as a high school student in a white neighbourhood. In order to be accepted by her white friends, she finds herself forced to slip into another identity. During the course of the novel, the murder of her black friend Khalil, who was killed by a white police officer in Starr’s presence following a disregard for police orders after a party, caused chaos among black people in Gardenheight. It needs to be mentioned that the tragic death caused by a white police officer due to racism was not reported. At first, Starr wants to hide as a witness to her friend’s innocence. However, after she realises that her friend Khalil is not perceived as an individual both in the legal discussion and in society, she finally decides to fight for her friend’s memory against injustice and no longer remains silent. Overall, Starr’s developmental process in the novel represents a search for her own role in society and finding her own voice, which ends with Starr consciously and publicly demanding justice for Khalil.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the necessity of addressing world issues like racism in the classroom and states the research aim of using literature to foster intercultural communicative competence.
2 Theoretical framework: This chapter explores key concepts including Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC), the CPR model for confronting prejudice, and the role of literature in teaching culture.
3. Analysis: This chapter applies the previously defined theoretical concepts to Angie Thomas’ novel and details a practical lesson plan for 9th-grade students.
4.0 Discussion: This section critically evaluates the effectiveness of the proposed lesson plan, reflects on the methods used, and acknowledges potential risks and challenges.
5.0 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating the importance of cultural learning in EFL education and suggesting directions for future research.
Keywords
Intercultural Communicative Competence, Cultural Learning, Global Citizenship Education, The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas, Racism, Prejudice, Confrontation, PWP Model, Literature, Discrimination, Secondary Education, EFL Teaching, Critical Reflection, Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of the paper?
The paper examines the integration of literary texts into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction to support cultural learning and the development of intercultural competence.
Which central thematic areas are explored?
The study focuses on racism, social injustice, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the necessity of cultivating tolerant, critically thinking global citizens.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks how the use of Angie Thomas’ novel The Hate U Give can help implement cultural learning and foster intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in 9th grade EFL students.
Which pedagogical methods are applied?
The work utilizes the PWP model (pre-, while-, and post-reading) for lesson planning and the CPR model (Confronting Prejudice Responses) to address and reduce discriminatory behavior.
What is addressed in the main body (Analysis)?
The analysis section justifies the suitability of the novel for 9th-grade classrooms, outlines specific learning objectives based on a German core curriculum, and provides a detailed 90-minute lesson plan.
What defines the characterizing keywords?
The keywords reflect the intersection of literary pedagogy, intercultural theories, and social education, emphasizing active anti-racist strategies.
How is the Confronting Prejudice Responses (CPR) model specifically used?
The CPR model provides a structure for students to recognize remarks as prejudiced and prepares them through role-playing to actively confront discrimination in social scenarios.
Why is Angie Thomas' novel considered suitable for this curriculum?
The novel is viewed as apt because it addresses relevant social issues, uses accessible language, and features balanced, relatable characters that encourage critical reflection.
What is the role of the PWP model in the lesson plan?
The PWP model ensures a systematic approach by dividing instruction into three stages to guide students through the receptive process of reading, active engagement with the text, and final reflective analysis.
- Citar trabajo
- Hannah Böhme (Autor), 2023, "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas in the Secondary EFL Classroom. Intercultural Communicative Competence of 9th Grade EFL Learners, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1422201
