Freire’s Key Terms

This book brings together clear and concise definitions of 33 key terms used by the great educational thinker, Paulo Freire. From ’critical consciousness’ to ’concientization’ and from ’oppressed’ to the ’banking model of education’ Freire’s concepts and ways of understanding education are as relevant today as they ever were. The critical definitions attend to the theoretical and practical implications of each term allowing readers to appreciate the philosophical and emancipatory nature of Freire’s work and learn how these ideas can be applied in educational, social, and political setting to drive social change. Each term is explained in relation to Freire’s wider body of work, noting the nuances and meanings that developed through his career as pedagogue. The book shows the significance of Freire’s legacy, and offers an opportunity to put into practice, rethink, and remake his proposal for a radical model of education.

Teresa García Gómez is Professor of Didactics and School Organization at the University of Almería, Spain.