Why Girl, Woman, Other Is Perfect for ESL Lessons

 Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo is one of the most important contemporary British novels to introduce into ESL classrooms. Winner of the Booker Prize, the novel explores the lives of twelve interconnected characters, most of them Black British women, across different generations, social backgrounds, and identities. Through its modern language, emotional storytelling, and unique structure, the novel offers ESL students an engaging and meaningful reading experience.

For English learners, reading authentic contemporary literature can sometimes feel intimidating. However, Girl, Woman, Other provides students with realistic conversations, varied perspectives, and culturally rich themes that encourage language development and critical thinking. The novel also opens the door to discussions about identity, race, gender, family, education, and society in modern Britain.

Because of its relevance and emotional depth, this novel works especially well in advanced ESL lessons focused on literature, communication, and cultural understanding.

Why Use Girl, Woman, Other in ESL Lessons?

One of the strongest reasons to teach Girl, Woman, Other in ESL classes is its connection to Black history and representation. Many ESL students are familiar with American discussions of race but know less about Black British experiences. The novel introduces learners to important social realities in the United Kingdom while presenting diverse voices that are often absent from traditional literature programs. Students discover how history, discrimination, migration, and identity shape people’s lives and opportunities.

The novel also feels extremely current and relevant. Bernardine Evaristo writes about topics that students regularly encounter online and in modern society, including feminism, gender identity, social class, activism, and multiculturalism. Since many ESL learners enjoy discussing contemporary social issues, the book naturally creates opportunities for authentic communication in English. Students are usually more motivated when they can connect literature to the real world and to their own experiences.

Another major advantage is the character-driven structure of the novel. Each chapter focuses on a different person, allowing students to understand multiple perspectives and personalities. This approach helps ESL learners practice empathy while also developing their reading comprehension skills. Students can compare characters’ lives, choices, and relationships while noticing how language changes depending on the speaker and context.

The novel also generates excellent classroom discussions. Teachers can ask students whether they sympathize with certain characters, whether social expectations influence identity, or how family relationships affect personal decisions. Since there are many different viewpoints in the novel, students rarely agree completely, which creates dynamic speaking activities and encourages meaningful interaction in English.

Although the reading can be challenging at times, especially because of Evaristo’s unusual punctuation and poetic style, the experience is highly rewarding for ESL students. Learners are exposed to authentic modern English rather than simplified textbook language. They encounter slang, emotional expression, humor, and cultural references that help them better understand contemporary English-speaking societies. With teacher guidance and classroom support, students often feel proud of successfully reading a complex literary text.

ESL Activities for Girl, Woman, Other

Vocabulary work is one of the most useful activities connected to the novel. Students can create vocabulary journals while reading and record unfamiliar words, idioms, and expressions. Teachers may ask learners to write definitions in English, create example sentences, or explain words through context. This helps students improve both reading comprehension and long-term vocabulary retention. Since the novel includes modern and conversational language, students also learn expressions that are useful in real-life communication.

A story timeline activity helps learners organize the complex structure of the novel. Because the chapters move between different characters and time periods, students benefit from visually mapping the relationships and important events. They can work in groups to identify major moments in each character’s life and explain how the stories connect. This activity strengthens sequencing skills, reading comprehension, and collaborative communication.

Another engaging classroom activity involves writing about a favourite chapter or character. Students can explain which chapter affected them emotionally and why. They may discuss a character they admired, disagreed with, or found relatable. This encourages personal interpretation while helping learners practice opinion writing and literary analysis in English.

Writing a review of the novel is also highly effective in ESL lessons. Students can summarize the story, evaluate the themes, and describe their emotional reactions to the book. Teachers may encourage learners to recommend the novel to other readers and explain what type of audience would enjoy it most. This activity combines persuasive language, descriptive writing, and critical thinking.

The final writing activity can become one of the most creative and memorable parts of the unit. Students choose a character they personally liked and imagine being that character during three important scenes from the novel. They then write three diary entries from the character’s perspective. This task allows learners to explore emotions, motivations, and personal voice while practicing narrative writing in English. It also encourages students to think deeply about characterization and empathy. By writing in the first person, learners actively use expressive language and develop confidence in creative communication.

Conclusion

Teaching Girl, Woman, Other in ESL lessons allows students to experience authentic modern literature while exploring important social and cultural themes. Bernardine Evaristo’s novel encourages discussion, critical thinking, empathy, and language development through its diverse characters and contemporary issues. Although the text may challenge learners, it ultimately rewards them with richer vocabulary, stronger communication skills, and a deeper understanding of modern British society.

For advanced ESL classrooms looking for meaningful and engaging literature, Girl, Woman, Other is an excellent choice that combines language learning with cultural exploration and personal reflection.

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