How to teach students to be global citizens

Jeanne Perrett
Children working together outdoors picking up litter
Reading time: 4.5 minutes

As teachers, weÌýallÌýwant ourÌýstudents toÌýwork toward making the world a better place. Through focusing onÌýglobal citizenship,Ìýthis drive to change the world is something we can help foster every day in the classroom.ÌýIn this post, we’ll explore how.

What are global citizens?

ÌýA global citizen is someone who knows that they are part of a worldwide community. They understand that there are people who have completely different lifestyles, appearances, cultures and routines but with whom we share common values and responsibilities. Global citizenship encourages tolerance and understanding, and learning about it helps children become open-minded adults.ÌýÌý

In a primary English classroom, helping students become aware of themselves as citizens of the world will introduce them to a global way of thinking. We can do this while also helping them become familiar with, and proficient in, English.ÌýÌý

How can we introduce the concept?

BeforeÌýstudents put themselves in a global context, they should get to know themselves as individuals. But they should also get to know themselves as people whoÌýare part ofÌýtheir immediate communities.ÌýÌý

In the classroom, this can be done by encouraging students to think about something personal, such as their likes and dislikes. We can then encourage students to look a little further: What kinds of homes do they see in their communities? What makes a house a home to them? What about people working in their communities — what important jobs do they do, and how do they make an impact?Ìý

For language teachers,Ìýthe idea is toÌýcombine vocabulary and grammar structures with a slowly widening view of our world.ÌýSimply by introducing the conceptÌýthat we are part of a worldwide communityÌýcanÌýtake the children out of their own experiences and help them start to consider others.

Tips and activities

Social media makes it possibleÌýforÌýteachers to contact each other across borders and to collaborate between their schools. Something simple, like organizing a class video call for students after lunchtime and encouraging students in different countries to discuss what they ate in English,ÌýcanÌýhelp learners become more globally aware.Ìý

Get in touch and learn about how ÃÛÌÒapp can help your language teaching

How can we teach students to be proactive?

Once students know something, they can progress to putting their knowledge into action. Teachers can foster thisÌýby encouraging good habits –Ìýa simple example isÌýhow weÌýteachÌývery youngÌýchildren to throw their litter in a bin. As they grow older, we canÌý‘unpack’ these habits. That is,Ìýwe can helpÌýchildrenÌýlook deeper into whyÌýthey're so important.ÌýUsing the example of litter again,ÌýthisÌýcould meanÌýmaking students aware about how their civic responsibility has a real environmental impact.Ìý

Let’s look at how we canÌýgo from knowing to doing, in simple stages, with a range of topicsÌýthat are common in theÌýlanguageÌýclassroom:Ìý

Food

  • Ask students to think about what they like and dislike.Ìý
  • Ask students to name foods that are good for us and what we should eat more of.Ìý
  • Teach about school lunches in other countries.Ìý
  • Teach about dishes eaten on special occasions around the world.Ìý
  • HaveÌýaÌýfood festivalÌýor ‘munch day’ where students make snacks from around the world.

Buildings

  • Ask students to talk about their own homes.Ìý
  • Teach about types of homes in other countries.Ìý
  • Discuss eco-architecture – such as solar panels, living walls, wind turbines on roofs, and local materials that might be used in building processes.ÌýÌý
  • Venture outside as a class to plantÌýpottedÌýflowers and improve the school yard or make a container to collect rainwater for the school garden.Ìý

Jobs

  • Teach about the jobs people do at school – such as cleaning, cooking, or driving.Ìý
  • Think about jobs withinÌýthe communityÌýand why they are necessary.Ìý
  • Think about what skills each child and their parents have and how these skills are needed for different jobs.Ìý
  • Have a skill-sharing day whereÌýstudentsÌýteachÌýeach otherÌýsomething new.ÌýÌý
  • HostÌýaÌý‘kids take over day’Ìýwhere studentsÌýget toÌýdo an important jobÌýatÌýschool (such asÌýcleaning the classroomsÌýorÌýserving lunch).Ìý

Technology

  • Discuss the different types of technology used at home and school.Ìý
  • Think about how to use this technology responsibly.ÌýÌý
  • Talk about different householdsÌýand find outÌýhow and whenÌýtablets, laptops and phones are used. For example, who is allowed to watch videos while eating?ÌýWho can read on their tablet in bed?Ìý
  • Make your own set of technology rules for the classroom and discuss why they’re important.Ìý

Holidays

  • Ask students what they like to do on holiday.
  • Teach about how to stay safe at the ocean or in the countryside.
  • Talk about other countries students have travelled to or would like to travel to and learn about interesting landmarks in those countries.
  • Discuss eco-tourism efforts and why they are important.
  • Have aÌý‘Let’s go toÌý[name of a city or country)Ìýday.’ÌýMake posters about famous sights, learn some phrases of the language spoken thereÌýandÌýhave studentsÌýimagineÌýtheyÌýhave gone abroad for the day.

Sharing the messageÌý

The United NationsÌýhas set out a collection ofÌý17Ìýglobal goals, called theÌýÌý(SDGs), which aim to create a better future by 2030. They address issues like gender equality, hunger and poverty and can be an excellent resource for teachers to use in the classroom when discussing how global citizenship can help to improve our world. Ìý

Teachers can encourage students to spread the message aboutÌýSDGs inÌývariousÌýways. For example, students can:ÌýÌý

  • Give speechesÌý– at school or in the local community.Ìý
  • Begin a fundraisingÌýcampaign.Ìý
  • Write letters to politicians.

Teaching students to be global citizens may sound like a big task. However, through weaving these ideas through language lessons, teachers have the opportunity to plant an important seed in students. Because who knows, they may really grow up to change the world.Ìý

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A man sat at a laptop smiling

    Embracing the future: Teaching in the age of AI

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    With the continuous evolution of AI tools, it has become more critical to incorporate AI into our teaching practices. AI has the transformative power to improve our teaching methods, tailor learning experiences, and increase student engagement.

    To give you a taste of our webinar 'Teaching in the age of AI: 7 tips for preparing for an educational evolution'. We'll cover seven tips designed to prepare you for an educational evolution with AI.

    1. Choosing your AI path

    The first step in integrating AI into your teaching practice is deciding your approach. Are you an AI methodologist who practices based on theory or an AI experimentalist who develops theory based on practice? Both paths are valid, but it's crucial to choose one to avoid inertia. Understanding AI's basics and experimenting with different tools will help you find your footing.

    2. Becoming friends with AI

    AI should be seen as a thought partner and assistant, not a replacement. Use AI to enhance your creativity and efficiency. For example, if you're stuck on creating a warm-up activity, ask AI for ideas. Treat AI as a helpful assistant to handle tasks you find time-consuming or less enjoyable, allowing you to focus on what you love about teaching.

    3. Developing empathy for AI

    Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations is essential. AI learns from the data we provide, so it's crucial to feed it accurate and relevant information. Developing empathy for AI means understanding how it processes information and how to give clear instructions to get the best results.

    4. Using AI for comprehensive coverage

    AI can help cover all aspects of language learning, including:

    • Meaning-focused input: Generate reading passages and listening activities.
    • Meaning-focused output: Create speaking and writing tasks.
    • Language-focused learning: Develop vocabulary lists, grammar exercises, and pronunciation activities.
    • Fluency development: Design repetitive practice tasks to build automaticity in language use.

    5. Transforming teaching practices

    Move beyond simple substitution and augmentation of tasks with AI. Aim for modification and redefinition of your teaching methods. For instance, use AI to create interactive and personalized learning experiences that were previously unimaginable.

    6. Adopting AI pedagogy

    AI offers new teaching possibilities that break away from traditional constraints. Embrace these opportunities to redefine your pedagogy. Think about what is now possible with AI that wasn't before and how you can leverage these capabilities to enhance learning.

    7. Creating formative assessments

    Use AI to develop formative assessments that provide continuous feedback. These assessments should help students understand their progress and guide you in improving your teaching strategies. AI can generate rubrics, provide instant feedback, and help track student performance over time.

    Practical tips and challenges

    To help you integrate AI into your teaching practice, here are some practical tips and challenges:

    1. Experiment with AI tools: Find tools for creating text, audio, images, and video. Create activities using these tools to see how they can enhance your lessons.

    2. Develop custom AI applications: Create custom GPTs for specific tasks, such as generating rubrics or formative assessments.

    3. Engage students with AI: Design activities where students use AI to generate content, evaluate AI-generated work, and reflect on their learning process.

    4. Focus on formative feedback: Use AI to provide continuous, formative feedback to students, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

    Embrace AI and its challenges

    Integrating AI into your teaching practice is not just about using new tools; it's about transforming your approach to education. By embracing AI, you can create more engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences for your students. As you embark on this journey, remember that the goal is to enhance your teaching, not replace it. Embrace the challenges, experiment with new ideas, and let AI help you become the best educator you can be.

    Watch our webinar

    Ready to dive deeper into the world of AI in education? Watch our webinar, 'Teaching in the Age of AI: 7 Tips for Preparing for an Educational Evolution'. Discover how AI can augment teaching, personalize learning, and boost engagement. Delve into the AI-first pedagogy, ethical considerations and practical strategies to make your classroom more effective, engaging, and innovative.

  • Two friends sat together on a sofa drinking hot drinks and smiling

    7 essential phrases for easier conversations in English

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Engaging in conversations, especially in a language that isn't your first, can sometimes be daunting. Whether English isn’t your first language or you’re just looking to improve your conversational skills, having a few handy phrases up your sleeve can make a world of difference. Here are seven essential phrases that can help you navigate conversations in English with greater ease and confidence.

  • Two friends reading a book together smiling

    Funny literal translations from around the world

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    One of the fun things about learning a new language is discovering how different cultures describe everyday objects and concepts. Sometimes, these descriptions are so literal and imaginative that they bring a smile to our faces (and maybe a few confused looks). Here are some examples of words in other languages that, when translated literally, are probably not what you expected.