DEVELOPING CRITICAL LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN MULTILINGUAL CLASSROOMS
Keywords:
Keywords: critical literacy, comparative literature, multilingual classrooms, intercultural competence, pedagogy, linguistic diversity, reflective thinking, language education, literature teaching, cross-cultural analysisAbstract
Abstract: As classrooms around the world grow more multilingual and
connected, teaching students to read and think critically has never been more important.
This article argues that comparative literature-with its side-by-side reading of texts
from different cultures-can spark that deeper literacy in such settings. Rooted in ideas
from critical pedagogy and literary theory, the study looks at how varied stories sharpen
analysis and open windows to other worlds. Using qualitative methods-classroom
notes, discussion transcripts, and student diaries-the research tracks learning in a large,
language-mixed university. Results show that reading across cultures helps students
challenge taken-for-granted views, speak with each other across difference, and
interpret both pages and contexts more richly. The piece ends with practical guidelines
for teachers who want to weave comparative literature into language courses and
strengthen critical literacy in diverse classrooms.
References
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*Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy*, 43(5), 448–461.
