ABSTRACT
If it’s a fun thing that you do you’re more likely to remember it and take it in, if it’s an interesting thing, instead of just working out of text books which is boring and you forget it as soon as you’ve left the room. (Underachieving boy, aged 13, talking about what makes a good English lesson)
Central to citizenship education is the fostering of the independent judgement of the child so that he/she is able to make informed decisions about current moral and ethical issues. The programme of study for citizenship (DfEE/QCA 1999) requires that students learn the skills needed to justify themselves orally and in writing about such issues and that they learn how to consider other people’s experiences. Linked to this is an understanding of the significance of the media and its role in shaping values. Thus the requirements of citizenship education dovetail well with those of the English curriculum where pupils must be taught about the power of media, persuasive language, how to respond critically to the views of others and to appreciate the value of other cultures and traditions.
