Teaching English as a foreign language means a great challenge which would certainly be answered by all English teachers in the affirmative. Today every school in Germany offers English as school subject, even the primary schools. Consequently it must be put great emphasis on teaching it accurately by taking into consideration any aspect of English language acquisition when learning it, for example the acquisition of a distinctive vocabulary, the ability to use grammar rules correctly, the ability to spell correctly, the ability to understand what is been said when native speakers talk in English which we call listening comprehension. Another very important part of learning English as a foreign language is undisputedly reading comprehension. The ability to read out correctly, to understand what is been read and to be able to work with a text effectively is not only a competence that should be concentrated on in the foreign language but also in the mother tongue. The PISA Study is a perfect proof of this which will be mentioned later on. In this paper I will try to accentuate the importance and significance of reading in the English class.
In order to illustrate this I will introduce the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, an American author and doctor with Afghan origins, and use it for the elaboration of the importance of reading activities in the English class. Initially I will focus on the didactic analysis which includes the reference to the syllabus. The syllabus is of course the signpost in terms of guidelines when planning the lessons, choosing age-appropriate media and methods. What role does reading play in this context? What is said in the syllabus when it comes to reading? The next step would be to explain why I have chosen A Thousand Splendid Suns in this context. For what reason I am of the opinion that it can be read in the grade and school given below. I also focus on the topics that can be made use of in class when working with the novel, which aspects given in the text could be used to discuss it with pupils. Then the novel will be summarized in short by also taking into account the author's vita in short to have a better understanding of what is important in the usage of the book.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2. Didactic Analysis
2.1 Reference to Syllabus
2.2 Purpose of Lesson Plan
2.3 Summary of the novel
3 Methodical Analysis
3.1 Portrayal of the procedure
3.2 Lesson Plan of lessons 1-12
3.3 Detailed Lesson Plan
4 Résumé
5 Conclusion
6 Bibliography
Objectives and Research Focus
This academic paper examines the significance and practical implementation of reading activities within the English foreign language classroom. By using the novel "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini as a case study, the work explores how literary texts can be integrated into the tenth-grade curriculum to foster reading comprehension, cultural awareness, and critical thinking.
- Analysis of didactic requirements and syllabus guidelines for English instruction.
- Evaluation of the suitability of contemporary literature for adolescents.
- Development of a comprehensive twelve-lesson pedagogical plan.
- Exploration of thematic issues such as Afghan history, gender roles, and social justice.
- Application of diverse methodological approaches including group work and role-play.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Reference to Syllabus
Why reading in the English class? What is the importance of reading texts in the foreign language? “Reading is like an infectious disease: it is caught not taught. And you can't catch it from someone who hasn't got it himself” This quotation refers to the fact that the motivation to read is an essential premise to develop a reading competence. In this context the foreign language class should contribute to the establishment of an age-appropriate reading culture. So as I mentioned beforehand the enhancement of reading in the English class is undisputedly an enrichment in terms of establishing foreign language skills but it also stimulates reading in general, for example in the mother tongue. Statistics prove that there is a massive lack of reading motivation in the case of children. The PISA Study, for example, found out in 2001 that many children hardly read or do not read at all. 42 % of them do not read because of the pleasure to be experienced and 31% are of the opinion that reading means a waste of time. Interestingly enough, 55% of the boys are nonreaders. The interest to read diminishes intensely: This is given for children aged 8 to 10 and those between 11 and 13 years of age. So what the school has to do here is to convey basic reading experiences. Hurrelmann (2003) says that pupils rarely read in class in order to gain emotional benefit and aesthetic pleasure. Texts used in class should be age-appropriate respectively appropriate for the pupils, the topics should be interesting for teenagers, for example they should include aspects like the transition to adulthood, the search of one's identity, problems with parents, teachers and peers. They should not overcharge in a linguistic manner, the difficulty level should also be appropriate. Authenticity is also essential so that the pupils can better understand what the text says.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the challenges of teaching English as a foreign language and establishes the necessity of reading comprehension, introducing the novel as a didactic tool.
2. Didactic Analysis: This section justifies the choice of text by aligning it with syllabus requirements and discussing the pedagogical value of the novel's themes.
3 Methodical Analysis: This chapter outlines the practical application of the novel over twelve lessons, including detailed procedural steps and specific classroom tasks.
4 Résumé: The author evaluates the success and appropriateness of the selected literary work for tenth-grade students, affirming its value in fostering independent interpretation.
5 Conclusion: The paper summarizes the necessity of reading in school and reaffirms the recommendation of using the novel to broaden students' cultural and social perspectives.
6 Bibliography: A list of all cited literary sources, internet resources, and pedagogical materials used for the research.
Keywords
English language teaching, reading comprehension, Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns, didactic analysis, pedagogical lesson plan, Afghanistan, gender roles, tenth grade, Realschule, foreign language acquisition, literature in class, syllabus, motivation, cultural studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this seminar paper?
The paper focuses on the didactic and methodical integration of reading comprehension in the English classroom, using Khaled Hosseini's novel as a central teaching resource.
What are the central themes discussed in relation to the novel?
The central themes include Afghan culture and history, the position of women in Muslim societies, domestic violence, and the role of friendship in extreme circumstances.
What is the main objective of the author?
The goal is to demonstrate how to effectively implement authentic literature in the tenth-grade curriculum to improve language skills and social awareness.
Which teaching methods are recommended in the methodical analysis?
The paper suggests a variety of methods including classroom discussions, group work, role-plays, and individual writing assignments to maintain student engagement.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body provides a detailed didactic justification for the text, a summary of the novel, a twelve-lesson pedagogical plan, and a specific breakdown of a lesson unit.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include English language teaching, reading comprehension, didactic analysis, tenth grade, and cultural studies.
Why is the novel recommended specifically for the tenth grade?
The author argues that the novel's complex themes—such as abuse and social isolation—require a level of maturity and vocabulary that students under 16 generally do not possess.
How does the author propose to handle the sensitive topic of domestic violence?
The proposal involves structured group work and discussions that allow students to explore the social and gender-related contexts of the narrative in a safe classroom environment.
What is the significance of the "detailed lesson plan" provided?
It provides a concrete, hour-by-hour breakdown for a specific lesson, demonstrating the practical application of "stimulus" methods in a real-world classroom setting.
What personal conclusion does the author reach?
The author concludes that reading authentic literature is indispensable for English instruction and that "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is highly effective for fostering sophisticated thinking in students.
- Citar trabajo
- Ayse Gökce (Autor), 2011, The significance of reading in the English class. A lesson plan with Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/171465
