Before this paper will aim to give relevant reasons for teaching West African Literature, it will examine the question of why we even teach literature at all in the language classroom.
As the restricted frame of this paper will not allow to cover West African Literature in general, especially in means of all the various countries that are included in this term, it will only focus on the novel "Americanah" which is a literary work by the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. First, it will shed a light on teaching Literature in general an explain why there is a much-needed step towards New Literatures such as the described novel is. Then, it will provide a short summary of the plot and themes in Americanah, followed by probably the most important part which will introduce a teaching proposal for the novel.
As it is with every material a teacher chooses for a class, he or she has to ask himself what the students can learn from it, how it is of bigger advantage and whether it is more beneficial than rather choosing another material or method. In this case, it is the quite convincing power of literature to be an authentic source that significantly helps improving the process of language learning.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE NEED TO TEACH WEST AFRICAN LITERATURE
2.1 REASONS FOR TEACHING LITERATURE
2.2 TEACHING NEW LITERATURES
2.3 THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
2.4 RAISING AWARENESS
2.4.1 INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCES
2.4.2 MINIMIZING GENERALIZED THINKING, STEREOTYPES, PREJUDICES AND RACISM
2.5 CONCLUSION
3 ADICHIE’S AMERICANAH: A SUMMARY
4 THEMES AND MOTIFS IN AMERICANAH
4.1 RACE AND RACISM
4.2 IDENTITY
4.3 CULTURE
5 A TEACHING PROPOSAL FOR ADICHIE’S AMERICANAH
5.1 TEACHING KEY PASSAGES FROM THE NOVEL
5.2 BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING UNIT
5.3 THE TEACHING UNIT- AN OVERVIEW
5.4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE LESSON
5.5 DIDACTIC- METHODICAL RATIONALE
6 CONCLUSION
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper explores the pedagogical potential of integrating West African Literature into the EFL classroom, specifically through the analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah, to foster intercultural competence and challenge societal stereotypes.
- The role of literature in promoting intercultural learning and empathy.
- The historical and social significance of New Literatures in English.
- The dynamics of the African diaspora and the construction of identity.
- Strategies for teaching contemporary literature in secondary schools.
- The use of digital media, specifically blogs, to address complex themes like race.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Reasons for Teaching Literature
As it is with every material a teacher chooses for a class, he or she has to ask himself what the students can learn from it, how it is of bigger advantage and whether it is more beneficial than rather choosing another material or method. In this case, it is the quite convincing power of literature to be an authentic source that significantly helps improving the process of language learning. Also, it gives the recipient the chance to get a glimpse of a specific society through the eyes of the characters, which makes it more realistic and easier to take in and process information. Depending on the genre and the content of a literary work, it can almost arouse a feeling of belonging to the setting or with the characters, thus contributing to a better comprehension of the topic (ibid: 120).
Even though we could never fully understand how it must have been like to live in a specific time, space or community from the past, literature that was written during these can help us achieving a better, more intense understanding for other mindsets, value systems, traditions and, in general, cultures. Not only does this hold true for the past, also nowadays we use literature to gain an insight into other people’s worlds, even if these might be fictional.
In the context of this paper, one can say that reading a book from e.g. a Nigerian author will give the recipient the possibility to change perspective and learn about the self-concept of Nigerians as opposed to always just having one’s own view on the nation, its ethnic groups and its culture. Teaching with literature, no matter when, where and by whom it was published, aims to motivate students to interpret the story their own way, think critically, practice oneself in tolerance and empathy and, very importantly, to reconsider deeply rooted beliefs that are misplaced and outdated in today’s globalized world.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: Presents the role of literary texts in language classrooms and outlines the motivation to include more contemporary, diverse works like Adichie’s novel.
2 THE NEED TO TEACH WEST AFRICAN LITERATURE: Argues for the benefits of using New Literatures to promote intercultural awareness and combat colonial prejudices.
3 ADICHIE’S AMERICANAH: A SUMMARY: Provides a narrative overview of the novel's plot concerning the protagonists Ifemelu and Obinze and their experiences in the West.
4 THEMES AND MOTIFS IN AMERICANAH: Analyzes the central thematic pillars of race, identity, and culture as portrayed in the literary work.
5 A TEACHING PROPOSAL FOR ADICHIE’S AMERICANAH: Develops a practical, modular 10-lesson unit plan for implementing the novel in a secondary school environment.
6 CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the arguments and reinforces the necessity of updating pedagogical materials to prepare students for a multicultural society.
Keywords
West African Literature, EFL Classroom, Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, New Literatures, Intercultural Competence, Diaspora, Identity, Race, Racism, Pedagogy, Cultural Awareness, Blog, Globalization, Teaching Unit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper examines the importance of incorporating West African Literature, specifically Adichie's Americanah, into the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom to enhance student learning.
Which thematic fields are primarily explored?
The work centers on themes of race, identity, culture, the African diaspora, and the pedagogical benefits of using authentic contemporary literary sources.
What is the primary educational goal of the proposed teaching unit?
The goal is to cultivate intercultural awareness, promote empathy, and encourage students to think critically about their own beliefs and global structures.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author combines theoretical discourse on literature didactics with a concrete, practical teaching proposal designed for the German school curriculum.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the justification for teaching literature, a summary and thematic analysis of Americanah, and a detailed module plan for five double-lesson units.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include West African Literature, Intercultural Competence, Diaspora, Race, Identity, and Pedagogical Methodology.
How does the author define the 'Americanah'?
The term is explored within the novel to describe the identity and challenges faced by Nigerians living in the diaspora in America and England.
Why are blog posts central to the lesson plan in Chapter 5?
Blog posts are utilized as modern, authentic, and "triggering" sources that allow students to engage directly with the discourse on race and identity in a contemporary context.
How does the author address the issue of racial identity in the classroom?
Through the analysis of the protagonists' experiences, the author encourages students to identify and reflect upon deeply rooted stereotypes, racial hierarchies, and cultural prejudices.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Veronika Keil (Autor:in), 2017, On the Importance of Teaching West African Literature. A Teaching Proposal for Adichie’s "Americanah", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/430773
