Issues 2005-2009

1991-'94       1995-'99       2000-‘04

2005-’09       2010-’14       2015-‘19


By Topic        By Author        By Title


- 2005 -

Issue #56 (March 2005)

Our first GILE newsletter of 2005, scheduled for January, is now here in March - due largely to my being a guest speaker on Japan's "Peace Boat" along with travels to India, Kenya, Egypt and Singapore. Apologies to all our subscribers for the long delay! Articles in this issue include a report on an English "world peace camp" plus an essay by EFL expert Marc Helgesen on his trip to Vietnam and the social issues (poverty, street children) he encountered there. In the aftermath of the December tsunami, our special feature deals with how to teach about natural disasters. This includes classroom ideas, teaching resources, quotes and thoughts about media coverage of disasters in the "Third World." Conference reports include a look at global education sessions at the JALT 2004 conference and the 10th Linguapax congress in Europe. Also profiled are language textbooks on global themes and a new book series for young people on global citizenship.

Issue #57 (June 2005)

Our summer newsletter comes out on the 60th anniversary of World War II (1945-2005) and in the wake of the July G-8 summit. Included here are sections on teaching about WWII as well as reports on Live 8 and the Make Poverty History campaign. Articles focus on teaching global issues using photojournalism websites, how political cartoons can promote language skills, political awareness and intercultural understanding plus a report on the Asian tsunami by an EFL teacher who did volunteer relief work in Thailand. Also included are a report on TESOL 2005 plus books on global themes. Have a great summer!

Issue #58 (Sept. 2005)

Our 3 key themes this newsletter are "peace stories," "social activism" and "Hollywood celebrities." Our main features include an article on using peace stories in the classroom by peace educator Charles Kowalski and ideas from global educator Sophi Hronopoulos about designing EFL materials on social issues. Conference news includes a report on the recent Linguapax Asia 2005 symposium, an update on the PGL IV Peace as a Global Language conference in Kyoto (Nov. 11-13) and a preview of global issue sessions at the JALT 2005 conference in Shizuoka (Oct. 7-10). Finally, we include a special section on teaching about socially-conscious celebrities plus a profile of a new U.N. global issues video series hosted by movie stars such as Michael Douglas, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere and Meg Ryan.

  • Announcement: Peace as a Global Language Conference (Nov. 2005)
  • Conference Report: Linguapax Asia 2005 (June 11 Tokyo, Japan)
  • Teaching With Peace Stories in the Classroom by Charles Kowalski
  • More Peace Stories and Resources
  • Conference Preview: Global Issues at JALT 2005 (Shizuoka)
  • Designing Materials on Social Activism by Sophi Hronopoulos
  • Special feature: Teaching about Socially Concerned Celebrities
  • Profile: New United Nations Video Series on Global Issues

Issue #59 (December 2005)

Greetings to all for a great New Year of language teaching and global education in 2006! Our main features in this issue include an article on environmental education for childrens' EFL by Renata Suzuki and a description of a college English course designed around war protest songs by Louise Haynes. Marc Helgesen describes the impact of English speeches in fighting discrimination and shares a student speech about prejudice in Japan against gays and lesbians. Finally, we include a report on global issue presentations at the JALT 2005 conference held in Shizuoka (Oct. 7-10), a special section on teaching about socially-conscious sports stars and a list of global issue calendars for the year 2006.

- 2006 -

Issue #60 (March 2006)

This edition of our Global Issues Newsletter marks our first issue of the year 2006 and our 60th anniversary issue since we began publishing in 1990. Our main features include a description of an EFL global awareness program for children called Kids International, an article on English as a window to the world by Danish teacher Else Brendholdt and a description of a college EFL peace studies course by Matsuyama University educator Gregory Gray. Conference reports include an overview of global issue sessions at the fall Peace as a Global Language (PGL IV) conference in Kyoto plus sessions on global themes at the Asia TEFL conference in Beijing, China. We also introduce a "No Nonsense" book series on global issues plus lots of exciting news from the field of global education.


Issue #61 (June 2006)

Our 2006 summer newsletter comes out as teachers in Japan gear up for the end of the spring semester, for final exams, for the end of the rainy season and for a steaming summer of "mushi-atsui" (hot-and-humid) weather. Our main articles in this edition focus on (1) creative activities for practicing language skills while promoting student awareness of animal issues; (2) the first part of a step-by-step guide on how to organize overseas eco-tours, and (3) a task-based EFL teaching unit designed around international prizes for global citizenship. Also included are a report on global education presentations at the spring TESOL 2006 conference in Florida, a list of books on world countries and issues, and lots of global education news, events and information. Have a great summer!

  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Conference Report: Global Issues at TESOL 2006 (Tampa, Florida)
  • Go Wild! Teaching and Learning about Animal Issues by Heidi Evans
  • Taking Students on an Overseas Eco-Tour (Part 1) by Jonathan Lynch
  • The World Challenge by David Peaty
  • News and information
  •  Book Profiles: Books on World Countries and Issues
  • Language textbooks on global themes

Issue #62 (Sept. 2006)

Blurb missing

  • Conference Preview: Global Issues at JALT 2006 (Kitakyushu)
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Conference Report: Globalization and Language Teaching (Korea)
  • Conference Report: JET Renewers' Conference / EPA
  • Taking Students on an Overseas Eco-Tour (Part 2) by Jonathan Lynch
  • Discussing Global Issues in the EFL Classroom by Emma Lingwood
  • Special feature: Teaching and Education - World Teachers' Day
  • Book Profiles: Books about Teaching and Education
  • News and information on global issue topics

Issue #63 (December 2006)

Here, finally, is our GILE newsletter for winter 2006! Apologies to everyone for making you wait for this to appear. Our special theme this issue is "Esperanto" with teaching ideas, information and a feature article by JALT member Alain Lauffenburger. Other articles focus on (1) the United Nations Decade for Sustainable Development and its implications for language teachers; (2) a description of a new teacher-designed EFL textbook on Gender Issues, and (3) current research findings about how language learning can contribute to intercultural understanding. Also included are reports on recent activities in language teaching organizations, a list of global issue calendars for the year 2007, and lots of global education news, events and information. Have a great spring break!

  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Special feature: Teaching about Esperanto
  • Teaching Esperanto for a Better World by Alain Lauffenburger
  • The UN Decade for Sustainable Development by J. Bacha & R. Allen
  • Language Learning and Cross-cultural Attitudes by David Ingram
  • Teaching Gender Issues Today by Jane Joritz-Nakagawa
  • Language textbooks on global education themes
  •  Global issue calendars and datebooks for the year 2007

- 2007 -

Issue #64 (April 2007)

Blub missing

Issue #65 (July 2007)

Welcome to our 2007 summer newsletter! Our main articles focus on (1) a global issues ESL course in Hawaii that engaged students in taking action in their everyday lives, and (2) a survey of textbook characters in school English texts in Japan with an analysis of how these have changed over the 60 years since World War II. The year 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the deaths of Mother Teresa (Nobel Peace Prize winner) and Princess Diana (activist for AIDS and landmines). It also marks the 200th anniversary of the 1807 British abolition of the slave trade, an event being commemorated around the world. In this issue, we present a special section on “Teaching about Slavery” with ideas and resources to help you teach about this in your classroom. Also included is a report on the spring TESOL 2007 conference plus lots of global education news and information. Have a great summer!

  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Conference Report: Global Issues at TESOL 2007 (Seattle, USA)
  • Character Identities in Post-War EFL Textbooks by Naoko Harada
  • Global Issues, Everyday Actions by David Royal
  • Special feature: Teaching about Slavery
  • Language textbooks on global education themes
  • Book Profiles: Books about Slavery and the Slave Trade

Issue #66 (Sept. 2007)

September has come and, for many of us, it’s back to school! Key articles in our fall issue focus on (1) a summer English camp designed to promote intercultural understanding between Korean and Japanese high school students and (2) an environmental appeal to EFL publishers to reduce junk mail. In 2009, Japan will introduce a new citizen-based “lay judge” jury system. To prepare for this, we present here a special section on “Teaching about Great World Trials” with classroom ideas to help raise students’ legal awareness as they learn about the trials of famous historical figures such as Socrates, Galileo, Joan of Arc, Alfred Dreyfus, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Also included are previews of the upcoming GALE (Gender Awareness), PGL VI (Peace as a Global Language), Global Festa and JALT conferences plus lots of global education news, resources and information.

- 2008 -

Issue #67 (April 2008)

Our January issue is now finally out after a long, busy fall semester on my part. Sorry to keep everyone waiting! Key articles in this winter issue focus on (1) a discussion of ethical issues in language teaching by Canadian ESL expert Mary Ashworth, including comments on teaching “English for torture”, (2) a description of how a “Families of the World” video series can promote global awareness in the EFL classroom, and (3) a report on how Japanese EFL students designed and performed a musical on a global issues theme. Our special feature this issue is a list of key events and anniversaries scheduled to take place in the year 2008 that language teachers can build lessons around. Also included are reports on global issue presentations at the JALT 2007 conference, recent activities of language teaching organizations plus other global education news, events and information.


  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • Conference Report: Global Issues at JALT 2007 (Tokyo, Japan)
  • 10 Questions About Ethical Issues in EFL by Mary Ashworth
  • Using “Families of the World” Videos in EFL by Tracy Cramer
  • Staging a Musical to Explore Global Issues by Todd Thorpe
  • Special Feature: Teachable Moments - Key Anniversaries in 2008
  • Language textbooks on global education themes
  • Global issue calendars and datebooks for the year 2008

Issue #68 (June 2008)

Our late spring newsletter for 2008 includes a rich variety of global education articles, announcements, resources and information. Our first article, by Charles Kowalski, describes a content-based “peace studies” course designed for EFL students in Japan. Next, Gail Okuma and Nina Handjeva-Weller introduce a teaching unit on the theme of “heroes” which aims to promote courage, action and social responsibility. Our third article, by Maggie Lieb, discusses Orientalism, Occidentalism and the dangers of stereotyping and over-generalizing in ELT textbooks. Also included in this issue is a tribute to Japan-based global educator Bill Balsamo, who recently passed away in Himeji, a special section on “teaching about whistleblowers” plus other global education news, events and information.

  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Designing an EFL Peace Studies Course by Charles Kowalski
  • Finding the Hero in Ourselves by Gail Okuma & Nina Handjeva-Weller
  • Special Feature: Teaching about Whistleblowers
  • Teaching Gender Issues Today by Jane Joritz-Nakagawa
  • EFL: Are We Uniting or Dividing People? by Maggie Lieb
  • Who’s Doing What? (with special In Memoriam tribute to Bill Balsamo)
  • News and information from the field of global education
  • Book Profiles: Two New Book Series on Global Issues

Issue #69 (Sept. 2008)

Our 2008 summer newsletter comes out as teachers in Japan wrap up their spring semester grading and brace themselves for a hot and humid August. Our main articles this edition comprise (1) a description of a high school EFL global issues program which focuses on extensive reading, paragraph writing and micro-credit lending; (2) a report on an innovative English course entitled “The World in My Neighborhood” designed on multicultural education principles; and (3) a language teacher’s introduction to the issue of human trafficking. Also included are ideas and resources for teaching about the Olympic Games, a report on global issue sessions at the spring TESOL 2008 conference in New York, and lots of global education news, events and information. Have a great summer!

  • Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals
  • News from JALT and other language teaching organizations
  • Conference Report: Global Issues at TESOL 2008 (New York, USA)
  • Teaching English through Global Issues Content by Mark Hunter
  • The World in My Neighborhood Project (WIMN) by Jon Dujmovich
  • Teaching about Human Trafficking by Patricia Aliperti
  • Special Feature: Teaching about the Olympics
  • News and information from the field of global education
  • Book Profiles: Resource Books for Teaching about the Olympic Games

Issue #70 (December 2008)

Here, finally, is our GILE newsletter for winter 2008. Apologies for the delay getting this out! Due to a heavy workload (organizing the 6th Asian Youth Forum), I had to skip our fall issue. Rest assured that everyone will get an extra issue to make up for this. Our main articles here deal with (1) a college EFL course designed on global education principles, (2) an international photo album exchange, and (3) on-line videos for teaching social issues. We also feature a list of global issue calendars, teachable moments for 2009, a report on the fall JALT 2008 conference plus lots of global education news, events and information.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After 19 years as a paper newsletter, we plan to offer the option of electronic subscriptions by e-mail. See page 2 for details. Let us know your preference!

Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals

News from JALT and other language teaching organizations

Conference Report: Global Issues Sessions at JALT 2008 (Tokyo)

Designing a College Global Studies EFL Course by J. Paul Marlowe

Bring the World to Class with Photo Exchanges by Kathleen Geraghty

On-line Videos for Teaching Social Issues by Chris Summerville

Who’s Doing What? (with In Memoriam tribute to Darlene Larson)

Special Feature: Teachable Moments for the Year 2009

Book Profiles: Resource Books on Language, Peace and Global Issues

Global issue calendars and datebooks for the year 2009

- 2009 -

Issue #71 (April 2009)

Our spring 2009 newsletter comes out in the middle of the global swine flu scare. Feel free to put on a mask and wash your hands before reading this! Our key theme this issue is “Language Teaching, Nationalism and Patriotism”. This features an article on patriotism and education by John Spiri, teaching activities about nationalism by Albie Sharpe as well as quotes, quizzes and comments. Also included are an article on service learning in Hawaii by Alice Lachman, global issue presentations at the TESOL 2009 conference in Denver, two new book series aimed at promoting international understanding plus a rich variety of global education news, events and information from Japan and around the world.

E-SUBSCRIPTIONS:  After 20 years as a paper newsletter, we now offer electronic subscriptions by e-mail. Please let us know if you’d like to try this eco-friendly option!

NOTE: Some browsers display inline, others download the whole file. Also, different browsers handle page numbers differently, so you may have to scroll up or down a bit after clicking on a link. Sometimes you have to download an extension in order to see a PDF online, such as this one for Firefox.


*Entire Issue

* Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals 4

* News from JALT and other language teaching organizations  5

* Conference Report: Global Issues at TESOL 2009 (Denver, Colorado) 6-9

* Special Feature: Teaching about Nationalism and Patriotism  10-11

* Examining Patriotism and Education by John Spiri  12-13

* The Patriot’s Pitchfork: Misadventures with Nationalism by Albie Sharpe  14-16

* NICE Service Learning: English in the Community by Alice W. Lachman  19

* Language textbooks on global education themes  21

* Book Profiles: (1) Global Village, (2) Global Connections (World Teens) 21


Issue #72 (June 2009)

Our summer 2009 newsletter kicks off with a focus on “teaching environmental issues through

cartoons” using the illustrated Gomic books produced by environmental education group, JEE. Our

feature articles include a description by Michael Medley of the EFL peace education workshops he

carried out in Kosovo, a report by Andy Hockersmith on a culture exchange program his Japanese

students conducted with youth in a Thai refugee camp and human rights class activities sent in by 

Carol Brutza. Also included are a report on last fall’s Asian Youth Forum (AYF 6) held in Tokyo,

profiles of EFL readers on global themes plus a rich variety of global education news, events and

resources from around the world

E-SUBSCRIPTIONS:  After 20 years as a paper newsletter, we now offer electronic subscriptions by e-mail. Please let us know if you’d like to try this eco-friendly option!

NOTE: Some browsers display inline, others download the whole file. Also, different browsers handle page numbers differently, so you may have to scroll up or down a bit after clicking on a link. Sometimes you have to download an extension in order to see a PDF online, such as this one for Firefox.

*Entire Issue

 * Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals  4

* News from JALT and other language teaching organizations  5

* Report: The 6th Asian Youth Forum (AYF 6) at PAC 7 (Tokyo, Japan) 6-7

* Special Feature: Teaching Environmental Issues through JEE “Gomics”  8-10

* Hope for the English Teachers of Kosovo by R. Michael Medley 11-13

* The Culture Box Exchange Project by Andy Hockersmith  14-15

* Human Rights Activities for the Language Classroom by Carol Brutza  16-17

* Language textbooks on global education themes  21

* Books: Non-fiction Readers on Global Themes for Language Learners  22


Issue #73 (October 2009)

Our fall 2009 newsletter brings you a rich variety of global education news, reports, articles and

information. Our feature articles include (1) a classic essay on culture shock and language teaching

in Africa by former Peace Corps volunteer Roz Wollmering and (2) a report by Darren Lingley on 

promoting language learning and global awareness through the study of university commencement

speeches by global issue activists such as Bono. Conference news includes a report on the recent

Peace as a Global Language conference (PGL VIII) in Shimane, Japan plus a preview of global

issue sessions at the upcoming JALT 2009 conference in Shizuoka (Nov. 21-23). Also included are

resources for teaching about the United Nations plus profiles of books on peace and social justice

themes. Enjoy!

E-SUBSCRIPTIONS:  After 20 years as a paper newsletter, we now offer electronic subscriptions by e-mail. Please let us know if you’d like to try this eco-friendly option!

NOTE: Some browsers display inline, others download the whole file. Also, different browsers handle page numbers differently, so you may have to scroll up or down a bit after clicking on a link. Sometimes you have to download an extension in order to see a PDF online, such as this one for Firefox.

*Entire Issue

* Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals  4

* Conference Report: Peace as a Global Language (PGL 8) in Shimane  5-7

* Conference Preview: Global Issues at JALT 2009 (Shizuoka, Japan)   8-9

* My Side vs. Their Side: A Peace Corps Story by Roz Wollmering 10-13

* Using Commencement Speeches on Global Issues by Darren Lingley   14-17

* TESOL and the United Nations: Classroom Resources for Teachers   18

* Language textbooks on global education themes  21

* Book Profiles: Books for Promoting Peace and Justice   22

Issue #74 (December 2009)

We’re excited to welcome the new decade and start the new year with this winter 2009 edition 

of our Global Issues Newsletter. Our feature articles include (1) an EFL technique for promoting

critical thinking through “lying” to students by Tim Grose, (2) a report by Greg Goodmacher on his

trip  to  Cambodia, (3) an  essay  on  critical literacy  and  skepticism by  Gerry  Abbott, and  (4) a

description  by  Douglas Meyer and Matthew Walsh  of a school charity event they  organized  to 

deliver clothes and food to the homeless in Osaka. This issue also features a list of global issue

calendars, teachable moments for 2010, a report on the recent KoTESOL 2009 conference held in 

Seoul last fall plus lots of global education news, events and information.

E-SUBSCRIPTIONS:  After 20 years as a paper newsletter, we now offer electronic subscriptions by e-mail. Please let us know if you’d like to try this eco-friendly option!

NOTE: Some browsers display inline, others download the whole file. Also, different browsers handle page numbers differently, so you may have to scroll up or down a bit after clicking on a link. Sometimes you have to download an extension in order to see a PDF online, such as this one for Firefox.

*Entire Issue

* Abstracts of articles on global themes from language teaching journals  4

* Conference Report: Global Issues at KoTESOL 2009 (Seoul, Korea)   6

* The Advantages of Lying to Your Students by Tim Grose   7-8

* Special Feature: Teachable Moments for the Year 2010   9

* Sceptical Inquiry, Reading Skills and Terrorism by Gerry Abbott   10-13

* A Disturbing but Exhilarating Trip to Cambodia by Greg Goodmacher  14-15

* How to Organize a Charity Drive at School by D. Meyer & M. Walsh   16-17

* Book Profiles: Books for Promoting Peace and Justice  21

* Global issue calendars and datebooks for the year 2010  22


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