History is more than just dates and events; it is the lived experiences of individuals, families and communities. As an educator, I am passionate about helping learners connect with the past in ways that feel personal and relevant.
Further, as someone of South Asian descent, the stories and histories of Empire, partition and migration are of huge personal significance.
As the child of partition babies of British India, I have been working on developing a resource on the partition of 1947 and so was delighted to be approached to develop a teaching and learning programme for the Tape Letters Scotland project.
The resource I have developed seeks to empower pupils to explore history through personal narratives while enhancing their critical thinking, empathy and communication skills.
Connecting learners with complex histories
Teaching about topics such as the British Empire, partition and migration can be challenging, given their complexity and sensitivity. Using oral histories helps pupils bridge the gap between abstract historical events and real human experiences.
For example, the resource includes lessons about the British Empire’s colonisation of pre-partition India through group discussions and activities, exploring the profound impacts on society, from economic changes to cultural shifts. This approach aligns with the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, emphasising critical inquiry and reflection.
Oral histories add an invaluable layer of depth to these lessons. Rather than passively absorbing facts, pupils engage with stories that humanise the past, fostering a deeper understanding of how history shaped individuals’ lives.
This method is particularly meaningful in discussions about colonisation, where narratives from diverse perspectives illuminate the complexities of historical change.
One of the greatest strengths of oral histories is their ability to amplify voices often overlooked by traditional textbooks. The Tape Letters project, for instance, highlights the stories of Scottish Pakistani communities through the use of archived tapes on which people recorded messages to each other.
These narratives not only document the struggles and triumphs of migrants, but also underscore the value of preserving cultural identity through storytelling.
Lessons such as “Partition” and “Migration” integrate oral histories to give pupils a window into the personal impacts of historical events. Pupils will engage with recordings (translated from a number of South Asian languages) from individuals affected by partition, empathising with the challenges of displacement and family separation.
They also explore how migration has shaped Britain’s cultural and economic landscape, making connections to their own communities. By doing so, pupils develop an appreciation for diversity and the resilience of migrant populations.
Technology as a tool for connection
The lesson on audio cassettes is inspired directly by the Tape Letters project’s focus on communication technology. Long before WhatsApp or Zoom, families separated by migration used cassettes to stay connected, sharing their voices, emotions and stories.
This simple yet profound medium preserved not just information, but also the essence of human connection.
Teaching pupils about the value of these tapes goes beyond nostalgia - it highlights the enduring power of storytelling and its role in shaping identity.
By crafting their own “audio messages” during classroom activities, pupils experience how storytelling can transcend distances, bringing them closer to historical and contemporary experiences of migration.
Building empathy and critical skills
A core goal of this resource is to foster empathy and understanding. When pupils hear or analyse oral histories, they engage with the emotions, struggles and triumphs of others. This not only enriches their understanding of history but also builds their social and emotional skills.
Activities such as group discussions, mind mapping and creating ”push and pull factors” charts encourage collaboration and critical thinking.
The final lessons on developing and presenting oral histories take these skills to the next level. By conducting interviews with family members or community figures, pupils learn to ask thoughtful questions, listen actively and respect diverse perspectives.
These are not just academic skills but life skills that prepare them for meaningful engagement with the world.
The power of storytelling
Ultimately, a teaching resource such as this is about storytelling - its power to connect, educate and inspire. Oral histories remind us that history is not just a series of events, but a tapestry of lives and experiences.
By incorporating the Tape Letters project’s emphasis on preserving personal narratives, pupils are invited to see themselves as part of history’s ongoing story.
This has been not just an educational endeavour, but a deeply personal one for me and all those involved in the Tape Letters Scotland project.
As a society, we are shaped by the stories we tell and the voices we choose to amplify. Through this resource, I hope to inspire pupils to value their own stories and those of others, fostering a generation that is curious, compassionate and connected.
For more information on the Tape Letters project, you can view free exhibitions in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh in 2025, or visit a digital exhibition. The education resource goes live for schools this month on the Tape Letters website.
Nuzhat Uthmani is a lecturer in primary initial teacher education at the University of Stirling and founder of Global Citizenship Education in Scotland. She posts on Bluesky
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