The effectiveness of EFL course materials developed on the grounds of critical language pedagogy and the pluriliteracies teaching for deeper learning approach

Abstract

A review of literature that underpinned the theoretical framework for materials design presented in this study contributed to the development of English language course through the lens of Critical Language Pedagogy (CLP) and the Pluriliteracies Teaching for Deeper Learning approach (PTDL). The purpose of the study was to gain initial knowledge on the effectiveness of such an approach for materials design, which could provide the basis for further questions related to the actualized learning potential of educational materials. With this purpose in mind, an interpretive content analysis of the Scenario-based Assessment for Learning Experiences questionnaires was conducted upon the course completion with university students from Spain and Poland. The obtained results suggest that educational materials prepared on the grounds of CLP and PTDL have the potential to support language learning in linguistically diverse educational contexts and can be characterized by their actualized learning potential. It is noteworthy that 30% of participants reported that the experience of working with the course led to personal growth and development. Nonetheless, as this research shows, such a process requires a change in the role of the teacher and a shift in the perception of learning goals in favor of the contextualization of learning materials, which is what future research should further examine.