Based on our experience of teaching English to undergraduate students in Primary Education at the University of Bari, this paper aims to explore PPETs’ understanding of the use of such authentic material as fiction, non-fiction, folktales, fairy tales which can lead teachers in general to deconstruct most of the stereotypes on major vs minor ethnic groups, white vs black people(s) that have frequently been passed down from generation to generation as a result of ignorance and misunderstanding. Specifically, we propose a wider range of options based on the importance of using literature in the classroom – that portrays a variety of cultures, themes and views – as one of the most powerful didactic strategies to shape good practices in teaching English for primary school children.

This volume is the result of the presentations and discussions carried out at the Conference on “Early Foreign Language Learning in Educational Contexts. Bridging Good Practices and Research” organized by the University Ramon Lull, the University of Bari and LEND (Lingua e Nuova Didattica) in March 2010. At the Conference, both teachers and researchers met to examine recent language teaching theories and practices from a transnational and intercultural perspective, on the one hand, and to fill the gap in the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in schools and to pave the way for a wider platform of discussion between School and University. Since these two institutions have often had little contact and, as there is excellent work carried out in both, our attempt was to build more solid bridges across their contexts, engaging school teachers in ongoing research and bringing everyday classroom practice nearer to university theoreticians in an open exchange forum so that the reflection on teaching and learning becomes relevant and rewarding for the participants involved in Early Foreign Language Learning in 21st century contexts. Drawing on the main topics presented throughout the Conference, this book has been structured around three main thematic areas: 1) the Age Factor, 2) CLIL and Content-based research and practices, and 3) developing intercultural competence: use of the L1 and translation as mediation skills. Each of these sections encompasses high quality contributions, all informed by salient and recent research, clear and justified theoretical standpoints and good practices