Teaching English Language through Literature - Teacher Resources

 Hello friends!

Today I write on this the use of literature in the ELT classroom is enjoying a revival for a number of reasons. Having formed part of traditional language teaching approaches, literature became less popular when language teaching and learning started to focus on the functional use of language. However, the role of literature in the ELT classroom has been re-assessed and many now view literary texts as providing rich linguistic input, effective stimuli for students to express themselves in other languages and a potential source of learner motivation. On this site you can find a range of literary texts and supporting classroom materials, on the BritLit pages.

What do we mean by literature?

John McRae (1994) distinguishes between literature with a capital L - the classical texts e.g. Shakespeare, Dickens - and literature with a small l, which refers to popular fiction, fables and song lyrics. The literature used in ELT classrooms today is no longer restricted to canonical texts from certain countries e.g. UK, USA, but includes the work of writers from a diverse range of countries and cultures using different forms of English.

Literary texts can be studied in their original forms or in simplified or abridged versions. An increasing number of stories in English are written specifically for learners of other languages. The types of literary texts that can be studied inside and outside the ELT classroom include:

1 Short stories

2 Poems

3 Novels

4 Plays

5 Song Lyrics

So let's see more in detail....

1) What sort of activities or tasks can be designed to teach language using a 'novel' or 'short story'.

Oral reading, dramatization, improvisation, role- playing, reenactment, and discussion are some effective learning activities which center on a short story EFL classes can use for enhancing these two skills. Asking students to read story aloud can develop their speaking as well as listening skills.

2) What sort of activities or tasks can be designed to teach language using a 'poem'.

Easy and best way I try to do that. I was apply some of the methods which is useful to students and all are understand very well. 

3) What sort of activities or tasks can be designed to teach language using a 'play'.

4) What sort of activities or tasks can be designed to teach language using a 'film or videos'.