Teaching in the fandom realm through literacy : an approach for english teachers in Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

This critical literature review is part of a larger research geared to people’s second languages appropriation, led by the group Literacies in Second Languages Project (LSLP), of which the author is a member. The article first situates the problem of pursuing new approaches that foster students’ literacy practices in second languages within (and outside) the classroom. The second part of the paper gives an overview of the concept of fandom and the advantages of embracing it in formal schooling. The next part is a proposal for teachers to incorporate pedagogical practices that match today’s interplay between cultural and technological factors. This multifaceted and multilayered approach is an invitation for educators to continue working on their craft. The final part is a glimpse into the author’s experience as a fan who is also becoming an English teacher.