Representing people, not issues
These tips will help you encourage learner empathy and respect for others, while making sure everyone feels safe in your classroom. It's good practice to do this by integrating diverse voices and stories into your everyday teaching, not just during special themed lessons.
Before viewing
Do you actively try to use materials that represent different people and their experiences in your classes? How do you do this?
Read the five tips below. For each one, think of examples of what they might mean in a classroom context.
- Integrate, don't isolate.
- Show people, not problems.
- Use authentic voices.
- Avoid the 'single story'.
- Encourage learner empathy.
While viewing
Watch the video and answer the questions.
- What's the problem with focusing on a group or topic only for special events or for a particular day?
- What examples does the video give for each of the five tips?
Watch 'Representing people, not issues'
- Answers
- It might make people feel singled-out, or make issues seem too simple.
Integrate, don't isolate – include texts, images and examples of diverse groups at every opportunity.
Show people not problems – teach that marginalised groups are more than victims; share their creativity, achievements and everyday lives
Use authentic voices – bring in stories and works created by people from diverse communities.
Avoid the single story – remind learners that people from a marginalised group are not all the same, show variety within cultures, genders, people with disabilities or backgrounds
Encourage learner empathy – Ask learners 'Whose voices are missing?', 'How might the story change if told from another perspective?'
- Transcript
Representing people, not issues.
How do we teach about marginalised groups in ways that feel meaningful and make a lasting impact?
When we focus on a topic or a group only for special events, for example a single History Month, a culture day or one lesson on diversity, it can make people feel singled out and it might make issues seem too simple. Representation, on the other hand, means consistently using real stories and voices in daily learning. It's not just a single issue but something we include in teaching all the time.
So how do we move towards representation?
One: Integrate, don't isolate. Include texts, examples and images of diverse people at every opportunity.
Number two: Show people, not problems. Teach that marginalised groups are more than victims or stereotypes. Share their creativity, achievement and everyday lives.
Number three: Use authentic voices. Bring in stories, interviews or works created by people from diverse communities.
Number four: Avoid the single story. Remind learners that people within a marginalised group are not all the same. Show variety within cultures, genders, people with disabilities, or backgrounds.
Number five: Encourage learner empathy. Ask learners 'Whose voices are missing?', 'How would this story change if told from another perspective?'
And what about us, the teachers? We can check our own materials and language and ask ourselves, 'Are we giving space to many voices or just repeating the same few?', 'Are we framing people as whole human beings or only through their struggles?'
When representation is woven into everyday teaching, learners don't just learn about issues, they learn to see people fully, fairly and with respect.
After watching
Was this video useful? Why/Why not? Share your answer in the comments below.
This series of videos explores how teachers can approach English language teaching in a way that helps learners express themselves respectfully, listen with empathy, address real-world social issues in a sensitive way and stay resilient. These videos are to help you create classrooms where learners can grow, feel confident in themselves and connect with each other and the world.
Other videos in this series will be available soon:
Dialogue, not debate
Creating safe and brave spaces
Protecting learners and respecting boundaries
Creative + collaborative = real-world impact
Staying resilient when facing pushback
Further resources
This lesson helps learners to develop listening comprehension skills and reflect on the different types of families that exist. The lesson raises awareness that not all families look the same and that family can include friends, pets or anyone who makes us feel loved or safe. The materials provide meaningful language practice and encourage learners to think critically and empathetically by asking them to understand, compare and discuss different families.