Page 48 - ELG2102 Feb Issue 474

REVIEWS .

21st Century Skills in the ELT Classroom –
A Guide for Teachers PIXABAY
Author/editor: Christopher Graham
Garnet Publishing, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-78260-832-5

was immediately attracted to this title
when, in his foreword, Christopher
Graham made me feel once again like an
I ELT dinosaur. A rather odd way to begin
a review perhaps, but Graham explains how
far attitudes to societal needs have changed
within the ELT profession since those
halcyon days of the OUP’s Access to English
(1974), featuring the romantically involved
Arthur and Mary (put up your hand if you
had the pleasure of teaching or being taught
from this much-loved series). We no longer
need to read about innocent characters
like Arthur threatening to give his rivals ‘a
good drubbing’, but we do need to teach our
learners how to manage search engine results
– very much a 21st-centry skill and hence
this title. Modern teens need new skills in English
Apart from the final two chapters by
Graham, each of the seven others is the
written not from an ELT perspective, but No need to feel
voice of a different author. Chapter one,
very much a theoretical overview of the
framework behind 21st-century skills, is
from one of general education. The thinking
Chapter two, in which Nik Peachey like a dinosaur
behind the inclusion of a chapter such as this
is that ELT is increasingly becoming part of
mainstream education.

focuses on creativity and innovation,
provides many links to tools teachers may
use in classroom activities. Peachey also Wayne Trotman reviews a new volume explaining
provides wise words here on the ethics of
asking students to record each other on their what 21st-century skills is all about
mobile phones, but not making the files
public, and of course requesting permission
prior to filming anyone under 18.
Chapter three offers an interesting of the uses of technology in our profession Overcoming the inevitable resistance
history of critical thinking, relating this to since its inception in the 1980s, he outlines to change is the subject of chapter eight,.
the requirement among language teachers Christopher Graham suggests various levels
for digital literacy. Along with the chapter by of professional development, including how a
ELT is Nik Peachey, with its wide range of suggested focus on 21st-century skills on courses such
activities, this one is likely to be the most as the CELTA would go a long way towards
increasingly helpful for encouraging 21st-century skills. increasing classroom practitioners’ awareness
Global citizenship is the theme of the of what these skills actually are and what
becoming part sixth chapter, in which Julietta Schoenmann teaching them involves. The final chapter of
discusses how activities relating to global this must-read title discusses global issues,
of mainstream themes can be integrated into classes including multicultural awareness, English
based on three real-life, project-based case as a medium of instruction and the decrease
education studies: challenges to the environment of in prejudice relating to what too many in
overfishing for tuna, learning to accept our profession still regard as the ‘non-native
immigrants and issues involved in garment speaker teacher’.
problem-solving skills and illustrating how manufacturing by underpaid workers in
these can be encouraged by embedding them less-developed countries.
in ELT classroom activities. Chapter seven looks at how to relate a
The next chapter continues the emphasis range of ELT methodological approaches Wayne Trotman is
on practical matters by outlining a case study to the development of 21st-century skills a teacher educator
in which communication and collaboration among learners. Here, Nicola Meldrum at Izmir Katip
skills can fit into the ELT curriculum. points out how teachers are already using Çelebi University,
Chapter five looks at information, media tasks related to problem-solving, group work Izmir, Turkey.
and technology skills, and who better to and learner autonomy to do so and how, by
do this than IT and ELT stalwart Gavin using tailor-made materials, teachers may
Dudeney? Following his interesting summary expand and enhance matters.
48 February 2021