231194 “Books we cherished in our teenage years – and how to use them in the secondary English classroom” (StGr) (WiSe 2024/2025)

In this study group, we will explore books that we cherished during our teenage years and discuss how they could be effectively used in the English classroom. We find this important, as books often hold a deep personal connection and thus foster an engaging and emotionally resonant learning environment. We will be examining various works (which may, in addition to conventional novels and short stories, explicitly include comics, manga and graphic novels) aimed at younger teenagers as well as young adult readers, focusing on their potential to introduce learners to complex themes like identity, friendship, moral values etc. These narratives, which we loved as young readers, provide opportunities for language learning and textual analysis through their meaningful content. We will therefore also consider, in practical teaching terms, how to utilise them in English lessons.

Requirements for participation, required level

Study groups are open to anyone interested in the topic; points can also be gained for Internationalisation at Home.

Bibliography

Possible literature for the study group could include the following, though of course we are open to changes and additions you suggest during the initial meetings of the study group.

Smyth, T. (2022). Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels. Routledge.

Surkamp, C. & Nünning, A. (2020). Englische Literatur unterrichten. Grundlagen und Methoden. Kaltemeyer & Klett.

Thaler, E. (2008). Teaching English Literature. Verlag Ferdinand Schöningh GmbH & Co. KG.

Webb, J. (2019). How To Teach English Literature: Overcoming Cultural Poverty. John Catt Educational Ltd.

Collins, S. (2011). The Hunger Games. Scholastic Ltd.

Green, J. (2013). The Fault in Our Stars. Penguin Books Ltd.

Hoover, C. (2016). It Ends With Us. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Oseman, A. (2019). Heartstopper Volume 01. Hachette Children’s Book.

Rowling, J.K. (2014). Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Bloomsbury Academic.