Hunger is Not a Game. Using “The Hunger Games” to Encourage. Critical Thinking in the ESL Classroom

Abstract

This essay focuses on the English 6 course for upper secondary school. I have created a book project that includes methods and pedagogical theories both represented in the Swedish school system such as the socio-cultural theory, the cognitive theory and behaviourism as well as less known theory such as critical literacy. The novel I have chosen to work with in this book project is The Hunger Games. The lessons are created so they include different reading, writing, speaking and listening activities as required by the Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket). The aim with this study is to find a method how to bring back students’ reading habits and by involving students in critical discussions about characters, events and perspectives in the novel I believe that they will become interested in reading more when they realise that there always is a hidden message behind the simple portraits of the characters and their actions instead of just accepting the way they are or act. The science fiction genre is another way of getting closer to upper secondary students because of its popularity among teenagers. The aim of this book project is creating a life-long learning process for students to develop their English knowledge as well as think more critically about everything that surrounds them.