THE CASE OF THE ESL CLASSROOM

AND THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Teaching Literature

The number of ESL students in US schools

has been rising dramatically.

This presents a challenge across the curriculum

Immigrant children often experience what is referred to as “culture shock”

They try to make sense of a strange new culture, while holding on to their own cultural identity

Children are simultaneously

Trying to ‘fit’ in Trying to hold on to

their culture Struggling to learn a

new language Struggling to master

subject area content

English Literature

Is possibly the biggest challenge for ESL students

What makes English literature so challenging to ESL students?

1. the obvious: vocabulary and grammar

2. imagery3. idiomatic expressions4. slang5. regional dialects6. social dialects

And…

Every text, whether fictional or non-

fictional, Is bound to the culture that

created it.

The Role of Graphic Novels

There is something to be said for Graphic Novels. They…

Look less threatening because of pictures

Make reading literature less intimidating, less formal

Help students understand the plot by illustrating the main events and the characters’ feelings

Help students learn new vocabulary by associating words with visual representations

Therefore…

Graphic novels are very

popular with all student populations, but are possibly most

helpful to ESL students

Possible solution to the Literature Dilemma:

Graphic novels are available not only as

the stories of Superman, Spiderman, Batman, and all sorts of other very popular

heroes, but also as classical

literature.

Ask your librarian

about graphic novels!