Literature, Art and Intercultural Learning in the Classroom: The Name Jar Workshop at Escola El Viver

As part of the ALPHABETICA project and its PLURART pilot, a literature- and art-based workshop was carried out on Jan 10th with 5th grade students at Escola El Viver, with the purpose of fostering critical intercultural learning through creative and dialogic practices.

The session, designed and guided by PhD student Hyereen Lee, from the Research Group for Education, Interaction and Plurilingualism of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, was inspired by The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, a picture book that invites reflection on the meanings of names and their connections to identity, culture and family histories. Through shared reading and guided discussion, students explored how names can reflect personal experiences, cultural backgrounds and linguistic diversity.

Grounded in a Freirean pedagogical approach, the workshop followed a cycle of text, dialogue and praxis. Students engaged in artistic creation by designing their own Name Jars and Name Stamps, and experimenting with Chinese ink and stamping techniques. This process encouraged self-expression, peer interaction and the sharing of personal narratives.

The workshop created a safe and meaningful learning space that valued students’ cultural and linguistic repertoires, promoting intercultural awareness and empathy. In line with the aims of ALPHABETICA, the activity highlights the potential of arts-based and plurilingual approaches to support inclusive and participatory educational practices.