A Study on Media Content for Global Citizenship in English Education: A Focus on the Documentary Side by Side: Out of a South Korean Orphanage and Into the World

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the contents of the documentary, Side by Side: Out of a South Korean Orphanage and into the World (Glenn & Julie, 2018), as a form of media content for global citizenship education, and to examine the validity of its utilization. This documentary proposes an improved awareness of transnational adoption and a new awareness of the issue through creative directing and innovative screening methods. Utilizing media contents such as documentaries, students objectify social issues and materialize the recognition of problems and their solutions independently. This can be used as an effective approach to improve global citizenship in English education targeting the MZ generation who are actively open to media and digital environments. Above all, watching Side by Side: Out of a South Korean Orphanage and into the World and discussing the adoption discourse will be an opportunity for students to develop their multicultural sensitivity and learn the virtues of being human. Furthermore, it will find whether this documentary is appropriate for practicing the core areas of global citizenship and global citizenship education presented by UNESCO (2015) and could be considered a basic study for future English class design and learning outcomes.