In the educational landscape, the traditional dynamic often positions teachers as the primary source of knowledge. However, an emerging perspective highlights the invaluable lessons teachers can glean from their students. This reciprocal relationship can enrich the learning environment, fostering a culture of mutual respect and growth. First and foremost, teachers can learn about diverse learning styles and preferences. Each student brings unique experiences of, and… Read More
How short can a story be? This question is the literary counterpart to the oft-cited idiom ‘how long is a piece of string’. Most people will invariably shrug their shoulders and say ‘it depends’. However, writers aren’t ‘most people’. They see this question as a challenge. The power of flash fiction lies in its brevity. Writing a complete story with… Read More
We need to stop putting literature on a pedestal. We need to stop reading books with white cotton gloves. We need to start treating literature like a living, responsive, imperfect thing. I study English and French at the University of Oxford – I was born with verbal dyspraxia and a phonological disorder, so I didn’t speak properly until quite late. Read More
One of the first pieces of advice I ever received about teaching was to start with an open mind and no preconceptions. However, no matter how hard you try, nearly all of your knowledge has been attained through a biased lens, and assumptions are insidious and pervasive. I have found that one of the joys of teaching is finding these cheeky assumptions, and… Read More
