Skip to main content

Unlocking Perspectives: The Human Library in the IB DP English B Classroom









Before we dive into the lesson materials, it is worth noting where this brilliant concept began. 

The Human Library (or Menneskebiblioteket) originated in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000 during the Roskilde Festival. It was created by Ronni Abergel and his colleagues as a way to challenge prejudices and bridge social divides through open, honest dialogue. Instead of a physical book, you "borrow" a human being to hear their lived experience- a perfect fit for the IB’s focus on international-mindedness.

Why Use the Human Library for HL Students?

For our IB DP English B Higher Level (HL) students, reaching a C1 level requires more than just vocabulary; it requires spontaneous interaction and cultural agility. This activity, adapted from the Culture of Learning blog, provides a structured yet flexible framework for students to explore the themes of Experiences, Identities, and Human Ingenuity.

How the Activity Works:

The process is designed to mimic a real library experience:

  • Role Selection: Students decide who will be the "Book" (storyteller) and who will be the "Reader" (interviewer).

  • The Catalogue: The Reader browses a "Book Catalogue" featuring 24 diverse titles.

Examples include: Spellbound (folklore), Concrete Colors (street art), and Virtual Victory (e-sports).

  • Preparation: The "Book" reads a summary card to internalize the narrative, keywords, and cultural context.

For instance, in Samba Steps, the student prepares to discuss the rhythm and culture of Brazil’s carnival.

In Desert Runs, they focus on the endurance and survival aspects of a harsh marathon.

  • The Conversation: The Reader uses suggested questions to open the dialogue but is encouraged to ask their own to dive deeper.

Sample Prompt: In Blackout Stories, the Reader might ask how a community adapts when technology fails unexpectedly.


Check out this handout to see if it works in your classroom!


Just a side note, hope you don’t mind......

If you like my content, maybe you would like to support me and buy me coffee?

Also, you might want to check other materials I create for the English Bilingual Secondary Classes (C1) - I am sure some of them will be useful for the English B HL classes, for example BritSpeak or OpenBookCouples. 

Check out the shop at dwujezycznie.pl



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Have yourself a "less-is-more" Christmas....

Every year, the same film plays on repeat. Black Friday hits, and people who swore they were “cutting back this year” are suddenly refreshing carts at midnight, chasing countdown timers and “only 3 left!” banners. This was the starting point for my minimalism lesson: if students are already swimming in Black Friday ads and Christmas wish lists, why not turn that chaos into something reflective and language‑rich?  The heart of the plan is a “Less Is More” advent calendar that runs parallel to the shopping season. While the outside world shouts “Buy! Hurry! More!”, students open a different kind of window each day: deleting unused apps, clearing one surface, designing an experience gift instead of buying another object. Each task comes with a guided question and a pair of chunky expressions to use in a short English reflection, so language development and behaviour change grow together. In  this handout  Black Friday and Christmas haven’t disappeared, but the spell is weake...
1 comment
Read more

Dead Poets Society Lesson

“ Let’s watch a movie! ” We’ve all been there- usually on a rainy Tuesday when the caffeine is failing and the class morale needs a jumpstart. However, we know the "movie day" stigma. A film is only a great lesson if the actual learning matches the energy of the screen. For my money, there is no better choice than Dead Poets Society. It is the ultimate catalyst for talking about the big stuff: identity, rebellion, and the purpose of education. I’ve mapped out a series of lessons that go way beyond just "watching."  We’re talking: • Silent Discussions (for the deep thinkers) • Film Review Writing • A Mock Trial of Mr. Keating   Carpe Diem! Check out the full plan below and let me know what you think  DeadPoetsSocietyLessonPlan Just a side note, hope you don’t mind...... If you like my content, maybe you would like to support me and  buy me coffee ? Also, you might want to check other materials I create for the English Bilingual Secondary Classes (C1) - I am sure som...
Post a Comment
Read more

🔨 Building a lesson with Lego bricks? Yes, please!

​ Yes, these are 16- and 17-year-olds playing with Legi in an English class. Yes, it is fun and at the same time is educational. Yes, they enjoyed it a lot!  Quick recipe for a Lego-based lesson: 1. Ask students to read a fragment of a book in English (in my case, it was the next several chapters of the Handmaid’s Tale by M. Atwood) 2. Bring some random mixed lego bricks to class- it is essential that you have a board for each student. It is good not to have Lego figures to boost creativity! 3. Ask the students to think of a scene/event/ idea/ problem from the text that they consider relevant/important/relatable/inspiring etc (you choose) and allow them 10 minutes to build a Lego representation of it- very basic, primitive even, as not everyone is skillful with Lego. 4. Once they choose what they want to build, they don’t share it, just create their little project in silence. 5. When the structures are ready, students work in pairs or small groups and spend 5-10 minutes trying to g...
1 comment
Read more