The purpose of this self-study was to examine my enactment of 3S Understanding, a holistic, democratic and inquiry-based curriculum theory, in a university-based, English-to-speakers-of-other-languages (ESOL) writing course grounded in Subject Learning, Self Learning, and Social Learning. Through disciplined reflective inquiry and collaboration with critical friends, this study set out to unpack the complexities of course planning and teaching. Data collection and analysis involved a structured, five-stage approach to identify themes, compare relationships, and interpret findings within the 3S framework. The Subject Learning findings stressed identifying the "wiggle room" for teaching artistry to address students' learning challenges and advocated for a multimodal approach to accommodate diverse learning needs. These findings also highlighted the significance of reflective inquiry in improving pedagogical practices. The findings on Self Learning emphasized fostering self-awareness and autonomy among students through reflective practices and empowering activities. They also highlighted the value of incorporating personal stories into teaching to strengthen teacher-student connections. The Social Learning findings foregrounded the importance of a collaborative, authentic, and critical thinking-focused educational environment to deepen learning and prepare students for societal participation. This study emphasizes a holistic ESOL pedagogical shift, urging teachers to integrate comprehensive, reflective, and collaborative approaches. It recommends inquiry-based, reflective practices for teacher educators, and supportive, diverse teaching environments by administrators. Learners are encouraged towards active, self-reflective engagement, connecting learning to real-world relevance. Such an approach aims to enhance language proficiency and democratic participation, fostering a deeper understanding and engagement in ESOL education across various educational roles. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]