Addressing Controversial Issues in the EFL Classroom Using YAL

Teaching critical thinking skills has become an important part of 21st century education. The development of internet and social media with their potential for manipulation has made critical and reflective thinking crucial. Teaching about controversial issues is an effective way to promote these skills. The EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classroom, in particular, is well suited to doing this. One possible means to foster young people’s critical thinking skills is YAL (Young Adult Literature). Pupils can easily identify with its characters and their perspectives. Hence, working with YAL can reduce prejudice and increase emotional awareness. In order to get insight into the current teaching practice in Austria with regard to teaching controversial issues, this research study investigates Austrian secondary school EFL teachers’ perspectives on addressing controversial issues by using YAL.