DEVELOPING CRITICAL LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN MULTILINGUAL CLASSROOMS

Аннотация

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.