Ira Shor - On Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire, born in Brazil, vowed to fight hunger and pursued law before realizing his true calling in education. He developed a bottom-up approach, emphasizing understanding students' lives. His work in literacy and democratization led to political involvement and exile. Freire's legacy inspires educators worldwide to challenge the status quo and promote equality.

What motivated Paulo Freire to abandon his career in law?

• A vow to fight hunger

• A desire to travel the world

• A suggestion from his wife

• A lack of interest in legal studies

What realization did Freire have while working with working-class families?

• He should move to a different country

• He needed to lecture more

• He should study their everyday conditions

• He should focus on legal reforms

What principle did Freire emphasize in his educational approach?

• Learning from students

• Strict discipline

• Focus on theoretical knowledge

• Top-down decision making

What did Freire believe was necessary for effective teaching?

• Strict adherence to curriculum

• Using only traditional methods

• Understanding students' lives

• Focusing on exams

How did Freire view the role of democracy in education?

• As a secondary concern

• As a distraction from learning

• As a practice to be installed everywhere

• As irrelevant to teaching

What was a key goal of Freire's literacy programs?

• To enable illiterates to vote

• To prepare students for university

• To promote foreign languages

• To teach advanced mathematics

What was the reaction of the Brazilian government to Freire's literacy efforts?

• They were indifferent

• They ignored it

• They fully supported it

• They saw it as a threat

Why did Freire have to flee Brazil?

• He was offered a job abroad

• He was invited by another government

• He was declared a danger to the oligarchy

• He wanted to pursue further studies

What did Freire's pedagogy include that was considered dangerous?

• Basic literacy skills

• Questioning the status quo

• Advanced scientific concepts

• Religious teachings

What did Freire believe about questioning the status quo?

• It was unnecessary

• It was a choice, not an obligation

• It was only for the elite

• It was a waste of time