Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) can be an exciting journey, both for the teacher and the students. One way to add a creative spark to your lessons is by incorporating a theme that everyone finds intriguing—monsters! From literature and film to folklore, monsters have captivated human imagination for centuries. Using famous monsters as a teaching tool can not only make lessons more engaging but also serve as a way to explore deeper concepts of language, culture, and even psychology.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can bring monsters into the classroom, highlight some of the most famous monsters from different cultures, and conclude with a fascinating look at how Carl Jung’s concept of the “shadow” can be tied into this unique approach to teaching.
Why Use Monsters in the ESL Classroom?
Monsters, though often terrifying, are universal symbols that appear in the myths, folklore, and stories of almost every culture. Because they tap into universal human emotions—fear, excitement, curiosity—they offer an engaging and dynamic way to teach English. Here are a few reasons why teaching with monsters can be effective:
- Universal Appeal: Almost everyone is familiar with at least one famous monster. Whether it’s from movies, books, or local legends, these creatures capture the imagination, making them a great entry point into discussions that encourage language use.
- Cultural Exploration: Many monsters are deeply rooted in specific cultural beliefs and folklore. By teaching about famous monsters from different parts of the world, you can help your students explore cultural diversity while learning new vocabulary and language structures.
- Creative Expression: When students create their own monsters or write stories about them, they practice using descriptive language, improve their writing skills, and unleash their creativity.
Famous Monsters to Introduce in the Classroom
Here are a few famous monsters that you can incorporate into your ESL lessons, each offering a unique learning opportunity for vocabulary, discussion, and writing activities:
1. Frankenstein’s Monster (Mary Shelley)
Frankenstein’s monster, created by the scientist Victor Frankenstein, is one of the most iconic figures in horror literature. Introduced in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein,” the monster is a figure of tragedy, struggling with rejection, isolation, and identity.
Activity Idea: Have students read an excerpt from the novel or watch a clip from a film adaptation. Ask them to write a diary entry from the perspective of the monster, describing how he feels about being rejected by society.
2. Dracula (Bram Stoker)
Another classic, Count Dracula, is the vampire made famous by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. Known for his charisma and bloodthirsty nature, Dracula has appeared in countless adaptations across literature, film, and popular culture.
Activity Idea: Create a lesson around Dracula’s legendary traits—immortality, shape-shifting, and hypnotic powers. Students can practice adjectives, role-play an interview with Dracula, or even create their own vampire character with unique powers and weaknesses.
3. The Yeti or Bigfoot
Monsters like the Yeti (from the Himalayas) or Bigfoot (from North America) are famous cryptids—mysterious creatures that may or may not exist. These mythical beings are often described as giant, ape-like creatures that roam remote forests or mountains.
Activity Idea: Show a documentary clip about the Yeti or Bigfoot, and ask students to debate whether they believe in these creatures. Students can write persuasive essays or participate in a mock news report about a Yeti sighting.
4. Godzilla (Japan)
Godzilla, the enormous sea monster awakened by nuclear radiation, is a famous Japanese creation that has been wreaking havoc in films since the 1950s. While Godzilla is often destructive, he also embodies themes of environmental destruction, human hubris, and natural disasters.
Activity Idea: Introduce vocabulary related to environmental issues and natural disasters. Have students create a news article or video about Godzilla’s attack on a city and the aftermath, incorporating descriptive language and reporting skills.
5. The Banshee (Irish Mythology)
A lesser-known but equally fascinating monster, the Banshee is a spirit from Irish folklore. Said to wail or scream to foretell the death of someone in the family, the Banshee is often depicted as a ghostly figure with long hair and a sorrowful presence.
Activity Idea: Explore superstitions and legends from different cultures. Ask students to share folklore from their own countries and describe their versions of supernatural beings.
Creative Classroom Activities with Monsters
Monsters are not just great conversation starters—they can also serve as the foundation for creative activities that encourage language learning. Here are a few ideas for using monsters to build excitement in your ESL classroom:
- Monster Descriptions: Have students create their own monster, giving it unique features and characteristics. They can write a description using adjectives and action verbs, practicing grammar structures while unleashing their creativity.
- Monster Debates: Divide the class into groups, with each group representing a different monster (e.g., Dracula, the Yeti, Frankenstein’s monster). Have students debate which monster is the most powerful, intelligent, or dangerous, honing their persuasive speaking skills.
- Create a Monster Storybook: As a collaborative project, students can work together to create a digital storybook about monsters. Each student contributes a chapter, describing their monster and its adventures. This is a fun way to practice narrative writing and sequencing.
- Monster News Report: Students can role-play as news anchors or field reporters, creating a broadcast about a monster sighting. This is a great way to practice speaking, as well as learning vocabulary related to journalism and reporting.
Monsters and the Shadow Self: A Jungian Perspective
While monsters are fun to incorporate into lessons, they can also be used to explore deeper psychological concepts. According to Carl Jung, one of the most influential thinkers in modern psychology, monsters can be seen as projections of the shadow self—the parts of ourselves we fear, reject, or don’t fully understand.
The shadow represents the unconscious, repressed aspects of our personality. Jung believed that monsters often symbolize this hidden part of us, embodying our fears, desires, and unacknowledged emotions. By confronting monsters in stories or art, we are metaphorically confronting the darker aspects of our own psyche.
For TESOL teachers, introducing Jung’s shadow concept can lead to thought-provoking discussions, especially for older students. You can ask students to explore the deeper meanings behind the monsters they study—what fears do these monsters represent, and how can we relate them to our own lives?
Activity Idea: Have students reflect on a famous monster from their own culture or from literature and write an analysis on what the monster might symbolize. What fears or desires does the monster represent? How might it reflect the shadow side of the human experience?
Conclusion: Embrace the Monster in Your Classroom
Incorporating monsters into your ESL lessons can create a more exciting, creative, and meaningful learning experience for your students. By exploring famous monsters, students can practice descriptive language, writing skills, and cultural analysis. And by examining the psychological symbolism behind monsters, such as Carl Jung’s shadow concept, you can encourage students to think critically about deeper themes.
So, the next time you want to add some excitement to your classroom, invite a monster in! You may be surprised by how much your students can learn from these legendary creatures.
