Volume: 18  Number: 2  Page: 201–217

A Proposed Framework for Incorporating Moral Education into the ESL/EFL Classroom

Kassim Shaaban English Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

This paper addresses the issue of incorporating moral education in the English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) classroom in light of the increasing calls for having teachers take on a more pro-active role in the moral development of their students. The moral education model recommended in this study includes the development of fundamental values, principles, and attitudes; continuous character growth that allows learners to become concerned, informed, and involved citizens; and laying down the foundations of a critical approach to controversial issues. The rationale that the study adopts for introducing moral education in ESL/EFL curricula is based on the assumption that it helps learners in developing their linguistic and cognitive skills, social awareness, emotional well-being, critical thinking, and a tolerant world view, goals that are compatible with the new approaches and methods of teaching ESL/EFL. The framework proposed for the implementation of this process includes tentative issues/themes, language skills, learning outcomes, methods of instruction and evaluation, materials and resources, and instructional activities.

Keywords: moral education, framework, fundamental values, global education, active learning, cooperative learning

2005 K. Shaaban

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