The Use Of Literature As A Medium For Language Learning Purposes In The Efl Classroom

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, grade: 1,0, University of Duisburg-Essen (Department of Anglophone Studies), course: Module F Seminar: Materials, Methods, Media and More: Differentiation in the Language Classroom, language: English, abstract: The development of new digital technologies has changed the use of media for teaching in schools considerably. But despite that, literature has not lost its importance. It is still one of the most important mediums for language learning purposes in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom today. Furthermore, literary material is not limited to the classical texts anymore. This becomes obvious when having a look into contemporary teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) school books, in which a relevant amount of the presented material is based on literary texts not belonging to the canon. The question, however, is how literature is used for language learning purposes and why it is so commonly used in TEFL contexts. Therefore, this paper aims at examining the use of literature for language learning purposes in the EFL classroom on the basis of one specific textbook material that makes use of a literary text. The material is taken from the school book “Pathway. Lese- und Arbeitsbuch Englisch zur Einführung in die gymnasiale Oberstufe”, which was published by Schöningh in the year 2014 and is designed for grade 10 at a grammar school (Gymnasium). The literary text itself is an extract from the popular fiction young adult novel “The Namesake” by Jumpa Lahiri and together with the responding tasks and classroom activities it shall serve as the basis for the analysis of how literature or more specifically this chosen material can support the students' language learning effectively. In order to evaluate the material, it is, however, necessary to start with a brief description of current modern principles of foreign language teaching, i.e. the approaches to effective TEFL. Bearing in mind this theoretical context unfolded in chapter 2, section 3 aims to apply this theoretical background in order to evaluate the material in question. Questions that chapter 3 attempts to answer are for instance: What are the aims of TEFL? How is effective language learning perceived? How can the material based on a piece of literature be used in class? Does the material and its recommended classroom activities meet the different aims of TEFL? In what way does the material in combination with the tasks foster effective language learning? The fourth section will contain a critical discussion on the topic. It is supposed to connect the research question, the theoretical context and the analysis.

This book examines how literary texts can be incorporated into teaching practices in an EFL classroom. It takes a multi-faceted approach to how English language teaching and learning can best be developed through presentation and exploration of literary texts.

This comprehensive introduction to literature learning in EFL contexts pays attention to both theoretical and practical concerns. It focuses on a wide range of literary genres, different age and ability groups, and gives suggestions for the future of the field. Its readership comprises language teachers, university students and academics.

A variety of imaginative techniques for integrating literature work with language learning.

Using Literature in the EFL Classroom es una guía que pretende apoyar y alentar a todo aquel profesor de lengua inglesa en Educación Secundaria y/o Bachillerato a introducir textos literarios en el aula de inglés. Ofrece información teórica relevante acerca del enfoque comunicativo y su conexión con la literatura, así como incluye herramientas útiles a la hora de seleccionar los géneros literarios y textos que más se adapten a nuestros objetivos didácticos. Además, contiene propuestas de autores y una gran variedad de textos con ejemplos de tareas que nos permitan trabajar todas las destrezas lingüísticas en cada uno de los cursos de Secundaria y Bachillerato.

The articles presented in this book bring together educators’ work and experiences from around the world (Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Australia) in the context of teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This publication, therefore, offers a richness and diversity of contexts and experiences to its readers. What sets this book apart is its balance between and explicit coverage of both research and the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching. This project has been prompted by the increasing split between the fields of linguistics, literatures and English language teaching, and will uniquely address this gap. Additionally, the volume gives practical applications on how to use theories of linguistics and literary texts in the classroom. This book provides undergraduate and graduate students, teacher-learners, practicing teachers, and teacher educators some theoretical and contextual knowledge of English language teaching practices and settings. Articles in this book can be used as supplementary texts for courses in the areas of English Language Teaching, pre-service and in-service teacher education, applied linguistics, literature, and language and culture studies.

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, grade: 1,3, University of Paderborn, language: English, abstract: Literature is one of the most important features of the English-as-Foreign-Language-classroom (EFL). It can be taught through different methods and genres. In the course of the seminar we got to know some of these methods which help to design interesting and creative lessons. Since there was the introduction of a certain standard of education in 2003, having the function of improving the culture of learning in secondary schools, it becomes obvious that literary texts are an essential part of the education plan. Education is not seen as retrievable knowledge anymore. It is looked at in its entirety. Therefore, the school should teach pupils to be independent und to develop their own personality. Of course, this also means thinking over the old teaching methods and pay attention to interdisciplinary factors. This aspect is especially important as English - apart from German - can be considered the most important subject concerning the fields of creativity and communication. Additionally, the acquirement of a foreign language leads to intercultural competence, identity formation, change of perspective and tolerance. Thus, it is also particularly literature that pays attention to these goals. In this term paper I will focus on the teaching of novels and their impact on language teaching. For this reason I will firstly answer the questions why literature is important in EFL-classrooms and examine which kind of texts are appropriate for teaching. Afterwards, I will talk briefly about the reception of novels with the help of pre-, while and post-reading phases. Finally, all these theoretical aspects will be part of the last chapter, where the young adult novel “Gracey” by James Moloney will serve as an example. There will be a lesson outline to demonstrate how the previous points could be put into practice and to display which competences are most acquired and improved.

This book examines how literary texts can be incorporated into teaching practices in an EFL classroom. It takes a multi-faceted approach to how English language teaching and learning can best be developed through presentation and exploration of literary texts.