A BILINGUAL BOOK PROJECT IN RURAL BRAZIL

Naiara Oliveira describes how an innovative approach to language-learning has impacted students, teachers and their community in Brazil.
Innovation off the beaten track

In the rural area of Peçanha, Minas Gerais, Brazil, where the countryside dictates its own pace and infrastructure challenges are constant, the Municipal School Manoel Gomes da Silva has been innovating in education in a way that is perhaps surprising. A striking example of this the school’s transformative approach is a bilingual book project called Nossos Contos / Our Tales, an initiative that is canging the way we teach English, while also valuing the local culture.

The project

The idea for the project arose from the need to bring language learning closer to our students’ reality. Instead of relying on standardized materials and traditional methods, the teaching team chose to create a programme of study that was relevant to the rural universe and asked students to create content that would draw on local stories, legends, and traditions lived on the farm.

The idea was simple, but different: students wrote short stories in Portuguese that were drawn from their own community and then translated them into English.  Ambitiously, the project was to culminate in the publication of a bilingual book. Each page of the book was constructed with contributions from the students themselves, making the material an authentic mirror of the rural community in which they live.

Difficulties

From the outset, Nossos Contos / Our Tales faced barriers typical of contexts with limited resources. We have difficulties in accessing quality bilingual materials, but initial resistance to innovative methods were overcome thanks to our collective commitment. The school’s leadership and staff organized workshops, meetings and collaborative activities, turning obstacles into opportunities for learning and growth.

Planning for publication

The creation of the book went through several essential stages: defining themes, writing the texts, translating them into English, and designing the cover. Rather than simply adopting pre-made content, the teaching team revived elements of the rural community’s identity. Legends and stories that are part of the local tradition were incorporated into the material, ensuring that the students saw themselves represented and proud of their culture. This approach enriched the bilingual content and sparked a renewed enthusiasm for learning, demonstrating that teaching a second language can broaden horizons without disconnecting from one’s roots.

Collaboration and commitment

One of the highlights of the process was the collaboration among professionals committed to innovation. The partnership between the teaching team and other school staff proved that, even in environments with limited resources, it is possible to create new paths for education.

Involving the families

The success of the project was celebrated in a special way with an autograph session at the school, an event that brought together the students—who are the authors of the book—and their families. This symbolic moment not only celebrated the collective effort of all those involved, but also confirmed Nossos Contos / Our Tales as an innovative and inspiring tool for teaching English in the region.

Spreading the word

With the initial stages overcome and after a warm reception from the community, the bilingual book is about to be included in the city’s libraries, serving as a reference point for other schools and as an example of how innovative teaching practices can contribute positively to people from various parts of the world. 

This initiative demonstrates that the union of efforts, creativity, and commitment to education can transform realities, even in challenging contexts.

Impact

This initiative has had a significant impact on the students’ confidence, literacy, and engagement with language learning. In a wider sense, the bilingual book project Nossos Contos / Our Tales is an inspiring example of how education can break down barriers and open new horizons. By integrating local culture with the teaching of English, the Municipal School Manoel Gomes da Silva reaffirms its commitment to transformative education, capable of impacting not only its community but also inspiring educators and students from various corners of the world.

Naiara Oliveira is a teacher and the project organiser of Our Tales. In addition to her work in the classroom, she strives to expand access to literature and bilingual education through creative initiatives.

Feature and support images provided by Naiara with the kind permission of the Municipal School Manoel Gomes da Silva.