The question that arises is how and why literature survives and has still its unique weight in the 21st century. This work is structured in several parts discussing what influence literature has on pupils in the EFL classroom. This seminar paper begins by giving a basic overview of the use of literature and why literature remains so successful. This is followed by the criteria of why certain literature is chosen and the challenges that may occur when teaching literature. After that, it will be discussed which influence literature has on the reading and writing skills of pupils in the EFL classroom.
The young adult novel “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas will serve as an example, which will firstly be presented briefly in its outline and its fundamental themes. Later on, this novel will be analysed regarding the impact it has on pupils in the EFL classroom and to what extent this example might or might not help them to understand America’s society concerning recent themes as racism, police violence or identity.
The aim of this term paper is to develop an appropriate answer to the question why literature is still so prominent and popular nowadays. The other important aspect and the aim this paper lays its focus on is how literature is used to reconstruct social values and norms or to understand a foreign society.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE USE OF LITERATURE IN THE EFL CLASSROOM
2.1 CRITERIA OF CHOOSING LITERATURE
2.2 CHALLENGES OF TEACHING LITERATURE
2.3 INFLUENCE ON PUPILS' READING AND WRITING SKILLS
3 AN EXAMPLE: “THE HATE U GIVE” BY ANGIE THOMAS
3.1 IMPACT ON PUPILS' VIEW OF TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE NOVEL
4 CONCLUSION
5 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the enduring relevance of literature as a pedagogical tool in the 21st-century EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classroom, specifically examining how literary texts facilitate language acquisition, intercultural competence, and critical thinking.
- Selection criteria for appropriate literary texts in heterogeneous classrooms.
- Challenges associated with engaging students in reading and literature-based learning.
- The impact of literature on students' reading comprehension and writing proficiency.
- Case study analysis of "The Hate U Give" regarding its role in discussing racism and social justice.
- The intersection of literature and the development of intercultural empathy.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Criteria of choosing literature
A very important question in the literature classroom is on which basis teachers should choose literature. There are three main aspects² which every teacher or lecturer should consider before working with literature. They will be named and described in the following.
Firstly, you should be aware in which type of course you want to introduce for example a novel or a poem. This includes for example the students’ reason for learning English and which English is used in the classroom e.g. Academic English, Business English or General English. Moreover, the intensity of the course should be factored in the choosing process as well. It makes a huge difference whether a teacher has a lesson with his/her pupils once a week or three times a week.
Secondly, the type of students has to be reflected. A teacher has to be aware of the suitability of the chosen literature in the pupils’ context which also includes the age of the students. The novel “The Hate U Give” which is mentioned in the introduction can serve as an example. The novel presents a lot of violent scenes which can be disturbing for children of a younger age. So you should choose wisely whether certain literature suits the pupils.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the ongoing significance of literature in the digital age and outlines the paper's aim to analyze the role of literary texts in the EFL classroom.
2 THE USE OF LITERATURE IN THE EFL CLASSROOM: This chapter examines the status of reading in schools, pedagogical criteria for text selection, challenges in teaching, and the impact of literature on linguistic skills.
2.1 CRITERIA OF CHOOSING LITERATURE: This section discusses the three main aspects teachers must consider during text selection, including course type, student demographics, and linguistic suitability.
2.2 CHALLENGES OF TEACHING LITERATURE: This section addresses the difficulties teachers face in motivating diverse student groups and highlights the "vicious cycle" of reading ability.
2.3 INFLUENCE ON PUPILS' READING AND WRITING SKILLS: This section compares bottom-up and top-down reading models and explores how different reading styles impact language learning outcomes.
3 AN EXAMPLE: “THE HATE U GIVE” BY ANGIE THOMAS: This chapter provides an overview of the selected novel, detailing its thematic relevance to racism and police violence.
3.1 IMPACT ON PUPILS' VIEW OF TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE NOVEL: This section analyzes how the novel aids students in developing intercultural competence and self-reflection regarding social issues.
4 CONCLUSION: This chapter summarizes the pedagogical value of literature, emphasizing its role in improving linguistic skills and fostering personal and social growth.
5 BIBLIOGRAPHY: This chapter provides a comprehensive list of all academic sources used throughout the paper.
Keywords
EFL classroom, Literature, Teaching methodology, Reading skills, Writing skills, Intercultural competence, The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas, Student motivation, Text selection, Racism, Social justice, Pedagogical tools, Foreign language learning, Literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The paper examines the continued importance of using literature as a primary teaching tool in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom, despite the rise of digital technologies.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include criteria for text selection, student motivation, the development of reading and writing skills, and the use of literature to foster intercultural understanding.
What is the central objective of the paper?
The objective is to explore why literature remains a highly effective pedagogical tool and how it helps students reconstruct social values and norms within a foreign cultural context.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a literature-based theoretical approach, analyzing pedagogical concepts and applying them to a practical case study of a specific contemporary novel.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the selection process for literature, the challenges of catering to heterogeneous classrooms, models of reading comprehension, and an analysis of the novel "The Hate U Give."
Which keywords best describe the paper?
The paper is characterized by terms like EFL classroom, literacy development, intercultural competence, pedagogical strategy, and contemporary young adult literature.
How does the novel "The Hate U Give" contribute to the learning process?
The novel provides a relatable, authentic narrative that addresses complex social issues like racism and identity, helping students reflect on social justice while engaging with the target language.
What role does the student's background play in literary analysis?
The paper suggests that a student's cultural background and previous knowledge are crucial factors; while they can support comprehension, a lack of contextual knowledge can also hinder the student's ability to interpret a text correctly.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Bianca Ihejieto (Autor:in), 2021, Literature in the EFL classroom. Criteria of choosing and challenges of teaching literature, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1139737
