We Teach Well’s World Lit Podcast

Dr Jeffrey Aaron Weingarten is a Professor at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.  He has had many years teaching literature and his PhD was focussed on Canadian literature, particularly poetry. Currently he is teaching professional writing and communication while being in devoted service to a 2 year old called Clio.

Hosted by Carolyn Newall and Judy Hefferan from

www.weteachwell.com

When we were making the list of countries we wanted to explore in the early episodes of the podcast, Ireland was near the top of the list. Some of the very best writing included in English literature courses was written in Ireland. And if any country understands how English has been used as a colonising tool it is Ireland. Well Scotland too, but def Ireland.

John is an English teacher in Ireland. Dublin to be exact. When he was at college he set up an education consultancy to help pay the bills, he gave tuition and created study aids. This eventually led him into the high school classroom. Currently, while teaching, he provides resources to over 500 schools in Ireland as well as many overseas. He has been doing this for over a decade which makes him one of the first educators to see the benefits of the internet.

We catch up again with New Zealand teacher Angela Tutty, to talk about New Zealand literature.

The session with Angela led into issues about the treatment of, and recognition of the rich history and culture of first nations people. The historical and cultural developments that have taken place in New Zealand are far more advanced than many other countries with colonial pasts. There is much that we can learn from New Zealand in this regard.

Angela is a New Zealand teacher who has taught overseas and is currently teaching in Melbourne. She talks to us about New Zealand literature, about the progress that has been made in New Zealand in regard to Maori texts and how much more needs to be done in regard to indigenous cultures across the globe.

Gwee is a poet, teacher and literary critic from Singapore. In this episode he is explaining the complex cultural and historical issues that are embedded in the literature of Singapore. One of the most significant of these is how Singapore has managed to use English for commerce, education and governance, while maintaining 3 different mother tongues.

We Teach Well founders, Carolyn Newall and Judy Hefferan introduce the theme for season one. Decolonising literature. Intent on providing quality material for English and literature teachers where ever they may live, in future episodes Carolyn will interview teachers, academics and writers from across the globe to talk about their country's literature.