Homeless in Hawai‘i: Developing Critical Materials for an Intensive English Program

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2021-12-06

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Within the overall perspective of critical language pedagogy (second language teaching for social justice), this project presents a small example of materials development, my own work as a teacher of adult ESL learners in a short-term intensive English program in Honolulu. It explores how to develop empirically-grounded teaching materials for ESL students that would help them understand the plight of marginalized people, specifically the homeless. A class of international students studying English at a public university in Hawai‘i were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward homeless people. The results indicated a consistent theme of negative stereotypes which lacked empathy for the homeless. This presented a learning opportunity for humanizing a commonly disparaged part of society. To ensure an accurate and locally-grounded understanding of the topic, the author conducted an interview with a homeless person in Hawai‘i. The recorded interview was transcribed and analyzed for themes which were then used in the development of ESL materials. The paper concludes by presenting an analysis of these sample materials that could be used in critical dialogue with the students.

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ESL, materials development, critical pedagogy, homelessness, Hawai‘i

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48

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