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The much-anticipated book, The Whispering Seeds: Creating and Building Meaning with Seeds to Communicate in a Foreign Language, is a collaborative masterpiece that merges creativity, language learning, and cultural exchange. Authored by Eugenia Proaño, Ernesto Muñoz, Peter Lindo, and Juan Muñoz, this book showcases an innovative and heartfelt approach to teaching and learning English through art and storytelling, using the beauty of seeds as both a medium and a metaphor.
The inspiration behind The Whispering Seeds began years ago when Eugenia Proaño, an Ecuadorian teacher of English as a foreign language, traveled to Costa Rica to participate in a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) training course at Centro Espiral Mana, now also known as the Institute for Collaborative Learning. Eugenia’s experiential learning journey in the classrooms at Centro Espiral Mana, along with the collaboration of Ernesto Muñoz, Peter Lindo, and Juan Muñoz, culminated in this unique educational project aimed at helping Ecuadorian college English major students enhance their writing skills through seed art.
“Seeds, in their simplicity and depth, have a unique power to communicate meaning beyond words. Our goal was to create a medium through which language could come to life in a way that was engaging and meaningful,” says Eugenia Proaño. The project involved English major students creating intricate art pieces with seeds while writing essays that reflected their creations. These essays were then edited and refined by Peter Lindo, copy editor and author of the book, in Brooklyn, New York. The work resulted in a powerful cross-cultural exchange, showcasing the profound impact of immersive, hands-on learning in the English as a Foreign Language classroom.
The book’s strength lies in its ability to capture the life force, energy, and wisdom of its participants. As Mary Scholl, founder of the Institute for Collaborative Learning, describes, The Whispering Seeds contains “beautiful, unique expressions” crafted by students who were encouraged to explore their creativity while enhancing their English language skills. The fusion of art and language not only led to stunning visual representations but also cultivated rich, thoughtful narratives that celebrate the culture and spirit of Ecuador.
“This book is a culmination of years of collaboration, learning, and mutual respect. It reflects our belief that learning a language should be an immersive experience that connects learners to something bigger than themselves—in this case, nature, creativity, and a shared human experience,” says Eugenia Proaño.
With its roots deeply embedded in two Ecuadorian university classrooms, The Whispering Seeds is a testament to the power of innovative, student-centered teaching methods. This book has the potential to resonate with educators and students worldwide, offering a fresh and engaging way to learn a foreign language while embracing art and cultural expression.
The Whispering Seeds is a must-read for educators, students, and anyone interested in exploring a unique and creative approach to language learning. Whether used in English classrooms across the globe or as a source of inspiration for any language learner, it demonstrates how art, storytelling, and cross-cultural collaboration can bridge the gap between languages and foster meaningful communication.
