Oral history is a useful tool for language learning as it incorporates literacy, critical thinking, culturally relevant content, and a participatory vision of history. Through oral history, students can connect their own cultural knowledge with their academic journey and find more opportunities for visibility and voice, while building their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. This Oral History Resource Guide contains activities, handouts, and reading strategies to make oral history accessible to students at all language levels.
Grades: Elementary, middle school, and high school English Language Learners (ELLs)
Time Needed: Individual activities typically take 20-30 minutes
Objectives:
- Students will develop speaking and listening skills from engaging in oral history interview activities
- Students will deepen comprehension skills by using reading strategies and activities to read oral history narratives
- Students will construct personal and creative responses to oral history narratives
