Why are Célestin Freinet's «free texts» relevant again?

Abstract

Introduction. The scientific and pedagogical heritage of the outstanding French humanist teacher of the first half of the twentieth century. Célestine Freinet (1896-1966) is extensive and diverse, and is of considerable value for domestic education. The purpose of the article is to reveal the relevance of the idea of using free children's texts in the pedagogical process put forward by Freinet and implemented by him in practice. This idea is particularly important in the work of general education and vocational schools in modern conditions characterized by the accelerated development of distance learning, the constant introduction of technological innovations, as well as the introduction of anti-epidemiological restrictions. Research methods are: a critical analysis of the works of S. Freinet, foreign and domestic authors, researchers of his pedagogical heritage, as well as biographical and historical methods. The research is based on an axiological approach that allows us to identify the value essence of the phenomena and facts to be studied. Results. The study contains biographical facts that characterize S. Freinet as an outstanding teacher and humanist. The article reveals his tireless activity in organizing teachers from different countries in international pedagogical organizations, which aimed at spreading advanced pedagogical ideas and humanistic traditions. The scientific views of Freinet on the use of free children's texts, which remain relevant to this day, as well as a number of other pedagogical views, are comprehensively analyzed. Discussion and conclusions. A critical, but generally positive assessment of S. Freinet's ideas from the standpoint of modern pedagogical science is given. Among them are the organization of education, the relationship between teachers and students, the social purpose of the school, etc. The scientific novelty of the study is to identify the relevance of a number of ideas of an outstanding French teacher, and, above all, about the use of free children's texts in domestic education, which has not previously been the subject of the study of domestic comparative teachers. S. Freinet is included by the author of the article in the book «100 great teachers». In 2021, the 125th anniversary of his birth is celebrated.