This activity is designed to generate discussion around a shared problem. A code presents an issue in concrete, simplified form. It can be verbal (a short text or dialogue) or nonverbal (a drawing, photo or body image), nonverbal codes work particularly well in multilingual groups. The guiding questions serve as a framework for critical thinking that leads from individual to collective experience and towards making change.
You will need:
A preprepared code (such as a drawing or photo) that depicts a problem that is relevant to the group.
Time: 1 hour
Step-by-step
Present the code to the group and lead the discussion by asking questions that follow this five-step sequence:
1 – Describe the code: “What do you see?” “Who are the people?” “What are they doing?” This is the comprehension stage.
2 – Define the problem: “What’s the problem here?” There may be different perspectives on the problem which get redefined through dialogue.
3 – Relate to personal experience: “Have you experienced anything like this?” “Do you ever feel like this mother?” It can be helpful to ask indirect questions: “Do you know anyone in this situation?”
4 – Analyse causes: “Where did this problem come from?” “Where do children get their attitudes towards language?” These questions should invite broader social/historical considerations.
5 – Plan for action: “What can we do about this problem?” This stage encourages participants to develop ways of addressing the problem, reflect on possible strategies and plan next steps.
Tips:
You don’t need to be an artist to draw codes, it’s not the artistic quality of the code that matters but the clarity of the content. You could also invite participants in your group to draw or create their own codes.
Example of a picture code which deals with the loss of heritage languages used in an English for Action ESOL class.