Designing Text Message Learning to More Equitably Reach Students Wherever They Go

Abstract

This chapter describes how TESOL educators can partner with global aid organizations, local communities, and learners themselves to leverage low-tech yet innovative learning solutions like text-message lessons with the goal of more equitably reaching learners, particularly those affected by disruption to their education such as those who are migrants/refugees. Taking such action as advocates committed to closing opportunity gaps arising from social issues affecting language learning not only involves the TESOL educator in the six principles for exemplary teaching of English learners but also UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, trauma-informed teaching and learning, and the concept of text messages used as micro-learning. Through a UNICEF case study of practice in action, the author provides a stepwise how-to for redesigning curriculum into micro-learning appropriate for text-message delivery and offers considerations and recommendations for its dissemination, evaluation, and potential application to many other contexts and learner populations at scale.