The testimonials are a good reflection of how Gothic Literature and Jungian Psychology help teach English
I would have never imagined in a month of Sundays that one day I’d be teaching English through the Gothic genre and Jungian psychology.
In the beginning, I was standoffish about what my students would think of blending to different fields (although they are interconnected as those who have taken my courses know very well by now).
One of the main reasons was that, to start with, both "Gothic Literature" and "Jungian Psychology" are not very well understood on their own. But even if you are lucky enough to have some kind of notion of what they mean and what they look into, putting them together in the same mix as a tool of language teaching, may still sound a bit strange, to say the least.
Yet, after last year's results, I have come to realise that I should have been braver a lot sooner.
I had been trying to shake things up a bit for a while. In fact, I was constantly reinventing the course content and the approach to the classes. However, it wasn't until I finally transitioned my classes online after the pandemic that I could fully take up the challenge.
For a long time, I had wanted to make learning English an experience—something that left a lasting impression. I wanted them not only to improve their English but also to feel something while doing it.
The more I was on my own journey of self-discovery through the study of Gothic Literature or artistic productions with Gothic elements while also learning about Jungian Psychology, it all started making more sense.
My wise sister had already told me about the unavoidable need to talk about the psychological profundity of the Gothic, ever since she helped me start my Gothic project back in 2005.
Why Gothic Literature?
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about Gothic stories. They’re full of eerie, mysterious, and often terrifying elements that make us confront our deepest fears and desires. It’s not just about vampires and haunted castles—there’s a wealth of rich language, emotional depth, and universal human themes to explore.
Using Gothic literature in my classes allowed my students to connect emotionally with the material. The stories drew them in and sparked their curiosity. Suddenly, they weren’t just learning English—they were engaging with complex human experiences.
Where Does Jung Fit In?
Carl Jung’s psychological theories added another layer to the lessons. His concepts of archetypes, the collective unconscious, the world of dreams and much more, opened up deeper conversations. Students were no longer just talking about what happened in a story—they were analysing the why behind it, diving into the psychological motivations of characters and the symbolism within the plot.
This kind of thinking, I learned, has the power to activate those parts of the brain that traditional language lessons don’t always touch. Instead of memorizing vocabulary or practising grammar, they explored complex ideas and sought deeper meaning.
The result?
This method worked on so many levels. It didn’t just improve my students’ English level—they also started thinking more critically, engaging their creativity, and even reflecting on their own experiences and emotions.
Learning became personal and transformative.
Some of my students would even come to class with books, films, or music they felt connected to, ready to discuss their deeper layers.
One student even sent me a testimonial where she explained how the course helped her "think outside the box" and see things from a new perspective. She wasn't just referring to her language skills—she was talking about life itself.
Looking back
Although I can say that I officially started fully integrating the Gothic in all its broad sense and Jungian psychology into my teaching when I look back and check my past course materials, I was already including both worlds in my teachings.
I just wasn't aware I was doing it most of the time, not only for Halloween or when a spooky story came up in class.
Now, as I fully embrace the feeling of achievement I realise that what started as a risk has become a method that not only works for many different types of students in search of learning more about culture, themselves, the language they use to communicate, their history, the human mind in general and even science, has transformed us all in our own personal and individual journeys.
So, if you’re curious about learning more about second language acquisition through a method that dives deeper, exploring the world of communication and the human psyche making use of Gothic narratives and productions to explore the intricacies of what makes us human, you can check my course:
Exploring the Impact of Second Language Learning on Our Perception of the World. The Moulding of Our Internal Figures through the Gothic
If you have any questions or want to know more about Gothic and how to use it as a tool for self-exploration and self-discovery, you can contact me privately or book your FREE self-discovery call.
And since you are here, I want to gift you my FREE webinar "Exploring the Depths."
As you delve deeper into the Gothic, you will discover a path to greatness and personal authenticity that will surprise you.
I hope to see you very soon.
Until the next entry
Stay Gothic, my friend!
Alice
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