Existential Literacy talk by Dr. David Balosa--LLC Cohort 14

David Balosa, Ph.D., is participating in an on-line workshop in advance of the publication of the volume, Critical Pedagogy for Modern Language Education. This book will be published by Bloomsbury later in 2022.

His talk and book chapter is entitled, Existential Literacy: Promoting the Culture of the Dignity of all Languages in Modern Language Classrooms

This chapter explains how critical pedagogy in modern languages classrooms should encapsulate the approach that Dr. Balosa calls existential literacy to achieve "transformational interculturality" and "global intercultural citizenship." It explores his experience in teaching French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili (K-16) in Philadelphia and Delaware State University and his experience as a member of the School District of Philadelphia equity and diversity team and Teacher Leader of the Junior Academy in South Philadelphia High School.

He defines existential literacy as an approach to pedagogical practices from which to derive inclusive attitudes, competence, and open-mindedness in the acquisition of, appreciation and respect for, and interest in linguistic, cultural, and sociopolitical discursive diversity. These objectives embody the commitment to transformational interculturality and global intercultural citizenship. Transformational interculturality refers to models of leadership and sociopolitical movements dedicated to rights and privileges rooted in human rights and responsibilities for inclusiveness, equity, and diversity for the common good. Global intercultural citizenship entails more humane relationships among different groups of people. It refers to symbolic capital from which derives an inclusive mindset in politics or the management of relationships among different groups of people across the world.

Here is the link for Dr. Balosa's talk on February 4, 2022 at 11 a.m. EST.