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Dialogic teaching: Using wordless texts to develop children’s cultural literacy learning

Written by: Victoria Cook and Fiona Maine
6 min read
DIALLS (DIalogue and Argumentation for cultural Literacy Learning in Schools) is a three-year research project involving nine countries in and around Europe. In DIALLS, cultural literacy is reconceptualised as a dialogic social practice underpinned by tolerant, inclusive and empathetic interaction with others, moving beyond previous narrow understandings of it as knowledge about culture. In the first stage of the project, researchers are working with primary and secondary teachers to create lessons that use wordless texts (picture books and films) as stimuli to develop children’s cultural literacy learning. This article introduces the key ideas for promoting and practising cultural literacy, outlines how the wordless texts were chosen and explores some initial ideas for their use in the classroom. What is cultural literacy and why do we need it? With increasing diversity in Europe, the need for interaction based on mutual understanding and respect is greater than ever. In the DIALL

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This article was published in September 2019 and reflects the terminology and understanding of research and evidence in use at the time. Some terms and conclusions may no longer align with current standards. We encourage readers to approach the content with an understanding of this context.

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      Issue 7: Arts, Creativity and Cultural Education

      Autumn 2019

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