The students of the GES secondary school of the CFA Montserrat Roig from Barcelona, who comes from diverse cultural backgrounds, has approached the stories of the first settlers of Australia through the program “Stories to read, stories to create” of Casa AsiaThese stories present a different worldview, traditionally transmitted orally. The project broadens perspectives, values diverse knowledge, and fosters positive interaction and respect among students. Through writing and performing new stories, they have shared the knowledge gained during the project with children and adults, creating a ripple effect on understanding these cultures, their history, and their place in the world.
The project “Stories to read, stories to create” is a Service-Learning (SL) initiative promoted by Casa Asiawhich combines language learning with real community service. Students not only learn, but also apply the knowledge acquired by creating and performing stories for different audiences.
This year, the project began with an introduction to Australian culture and Aboriginal peoples, particularly the concept of the Dreaming. Through reading traditional tales, researching information, and participating in activities with specialists, students have developed reading comprehension, research skills, and cultural knowledge of Australia's first inhabitants. Subsequently, in groups, they adapted the tales for performance, working on written expression, creativity, and the organization of a theatrical text. They also created sets and characters and prepared the staging, thus reinforcing oral expression, confidence, and teamwork.
The project culminated in a community service that gave meaning to the entire process. The students performed their stories in various venues: at the school itself, in their Spanish 1 class, at the Apropem-nos Association (Can Felipa Civic Center, Poblenou), at the Poblenou School, and at a final event with schools in the Raval neighborhood. These performances allowed them to share their work with diverse audiences and experience real-world communication.
Overall, the project has been very enriching: it has improved students' language skills, fostered collaboration and promoted respect for cultural diversity, all through a meaningful and motivating experience.
Check the stories:
