Book critique of Cartas a quien pretende enseñar

                                       Book Critique of [Cartas a quien pretende enseñar]

Cartas a quien pretende enseñar or Professora sim; tia nao: cartas a quem ousa ensinar, in its original title, was written by Paulo Freire (2006) and translated by Stella Mastrangelo.  This third edition was published in 2006 by Siglo XXI Editores Argentina S.A.  The author was a well- known Brazilian pedagogue who devoted his life to making contributions to the teaching-learning process. Throughout his piece, the author highlights the fact that theory and practice are interrelated and he mentions the factors which affect these two educational dimensions.

Especially noteworthy was the selected writing style that the author chose: an epistolary format to make educators become involved in the narrative and identify themselves with his experiences. In addition, this book is divided into twelve chapters; the first one entitled Primeras Palabras represents a brief introduction for the following sections which go from the first letter to the tenth letter. To conclude his work, Freire (2006) adds Últimas Palabras, summarizing his ideas and making suggestions for educators from the twenty-first century.

 In all these sections, Freire (2006) defines the personal qualities of a good teacher and he claims that an evident connection must exist between what the teacher says and what she does.  Furthermore, he remarks that teaching is a dual process in which both, teacher and students learn from each other.  It could be inferred through the reading that this result can be achieved through the dialogue, considered a key element in education for it allows an enriching exchange of different points of view. 

In his work, Freire (2006) states that “precisamos ejercitar la capacidad de observar registrando lo que observamos” (p.5); so observation is essential for teachers’ role.  What is more, the author acknowledges reflection as the basis for professional development since it promotes self-criticism to improve educational practices.  Apart from that, this book reveals the difference between talking to the students and talking with them.  For this reason, Freire (2006) includes the concept of humility in his book and he considers it as a tool to accept others’ knowledge.

All in all, this book is aimed at trainee-teachers and teachers in service who could find in it a source of amazing and fruitful ideas to improve their own practices.  However, it would have been even better if Freire (2006) had included the analysis of other teachers’ real experiences in his letters.  Ultimately, this book resumes the knowledge, experience and personal qualities needed to reach the ultimate goal of transforming learners into critical thinkers.  On the whole, this written piece succeeds in making educators confirm and restate their vocation for teaching.

Reference

Freire, P. (2006). Cartas a quien pretende enseñar (3rd ed.). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Siglo XXI Editores Argentina.