The Challenges of Teacfing (original) (raw)

A Reactive Approach to Teaching English through Literature 1

24th International IATEFL Poland Conference “Quality in Language Education in Various Educational Environments”, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, 18-20 September 2015, 2015

For adult students at intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in the target language literature provides a rich source of authentic language material over a wide range of registers, which - if effectively exploited by the FL teacher - can help students improve their communicative competence and acquire a native-like command of English. Literature also opens a window to the culture of the target language and helps learners develop a better understanding of "otherness", as well as enhance their intercultural competence. Last but not least, literary texts are open to different interpretation - they provoke a more personal response in the learners, engage them emotionally and motivate them to participate more actively in the classroom activities and get more personally and responsibly involved in homework assignments. The aim of this paper is to provide some guidance to EFL teachers on how to exploit the potential of literary texts in their FL classroom by careful planning of activities and skillfully scaffolding learners' performance, and to share the author's personal experience of making literature a powerful tool for adult learners' language learning and communicative competence improvement.

LITERATURE AS A PEDAGOGICAL TOOL FOR THE FOSTERING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AMONG STUDENTS

Journal Article, 2021

The role and importance of English Language in today's globalized world is increasing every day. Second language learners of English Language, especially those form vernacular backgrounds find it tremendously difficult to cope up with the demands of a foreign tongue. The learning of English when it is imparted through the rote method of learning and only through grammar does not incite the curiosity and enthusiasm among the students. Whereas, when the teaching/learning of English language is done through the use of literature the entire process comes alive. The learning of English through the application of literature not only becomes interesting and easier, but more easily graspable and enjoyable. This paper tries to focus on the use of literature as a pedagogical tool for the fostering of English Language proficiency among the students.

Learning and Enjoying Literature in English

Teacher's Edition 3, pages 22-26, 2000

Literature can be a daunting subject for foreign students of English. The complexity and open-ended nature of literary interpretation often contain a high "fear factor" for them. "I'm interested in literature, "one student confided in her class journal early one semester. "But to tell the truth, I'm afraid. I don't think our class can understand what you teach. "