Literature in language teaching
-Literature in language teaching utilizes literary texts like novels, short stories, poetry,
and plays to enhance language learning, allowing students to engage with authentic
language and explore cultural, social, and personal themes.
IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE IN LANGUAGE
TEACHING CULTURAL AWARENESS: Literature plays a crucial role in language
teaching, fostering cultural awareness, understanding diverse cultures, and fostering
empathy by exposing students to diverse narratives and perspectives.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:
Literature enhances language skills by providing rich vocabulary, diverse sentence
structures, and writing styles, exposing students to authentic language use and
fostering critical thinking.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS:
Literature fosters analytical skills, encourages critical thinking, facilitates classroom
discussions, and fosters personal connections by exposing students to complex
themes, characters, and moral dilemmas.
SELF - REFLECTION:
Literature can foster self-reflection and emotional intelligence in students, allowing them
to explore complex human experiences and emotions. Carter and Long (1991) propose
three models for using literature in language teaching.
A. What is literature in language teaching, and why should teachers use it?
-Literature in language teaching refers to the use of literary texts, such as novels,
poems, and short stories, to enhance language learning.
Three Models of Literature in Teaching
• The Cultural Model
• The Language Model
• The Personal Growth Model
THE CULTURAL MODEL
• Focuses on exposing students to the cultural context of literary works.
• Helps students understand and appreciate diverse cultures and
perspectives.
• Encourages discussions about cultural themes, values, and social issues
presented in literature.
THE LANGUAGE MODEL
•Seeks a closer integration between language and literature.
•Students can improve their language proficiency by using literature as a resource in
language learning.
•The language model seeks greater unification between language and literature.
•The language-based approach helps students to focus attention on the way as to how
the language is use.
•Enables learners to access a text in a systematic and methodical way in order to
exemplify specific linguistic features e.g. literal and figurative language, direct, and
indirect speech.
•Can choose to focus on: general grammar and vocabulary or like stylistic analysis.
THE PERSONAL GROWTH
•Helps learners develop knowledge of ideas and language.
•Seeks the opportunity for students to relate and respond to the themes and issues by
making a connection to their personal lives.
•Function relates to theories of reading emphasize the interaction of the reader with the
text.
