Using Literary Texts in Language Teaching', VNU Journal of Science
Using Literary Texts in Language Teaching', VNU Journal of Science
Using Literary Texts in Language Teaching', VNU Journal of Science
Vol.5 2014
Abstract
Literature is the media of teaching and learning authentic language. The language of literature is well-organized
and wonderful choice of diction. Language generally represents literature. The recent historical positions
regarding the use of literature in English language teaching, and the inclusion of literary texts may foster the
development of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills. This is the reason why, this
paper argues for the use of literature for language teaching purposes. More important, it claims consistently that
the use of literature for language teaching purposes can promote literary understanding and general linguistic
awareness among teachers and learners.
Keywords: Literature, Language, Skills development, Motivation, Oppositions and Resistances.
Introduction
Literature is the main vehicle for teaching and learning language. Literature is the proper place where language
gets the superb position. Literary works provided additional material of grammar practice, vocabulary learning,
translation (Liaw 2001; cited in Khatib, Hossein and Rahimi 2012:p.32).
This is why, Language is learnt through literature. Actually, Language teaching is a process whose aim changes
not only from country to country and culture to culture but from individual to individual. In fact, it is up to
individuals to decide whether literature will be somehow included in the course syllabus or particular lesson
plans. If so, teachers then have to decide on which texts to include, for what purposes to use them and what
activities will be done to explore the texts and promote language development. If literary works are selected
according to the needs, level of learners, and age of learners, then Literature will be the effective for teaching
and learning Language.
What is Literature?
There are several definitions of Literature from different points of view. The most general definition can be seen
in H.L.B. Moody's approach. According to Moody, literature is like an umbrella term giving information on
every business (Moody, 1971:1, cited in Turker 1991: p.299). Therefore literature, having interested in every
kinds of written and spoken business, can be the best media of expressing a specific subject e.g. literature for
language learning, literature for child raising, literature for communication, literature for construction, literature
for medicine, literature for business, and literature for the author’s style. Sonia Zyngier (1994) holds that, a
literary text should be regarded as an instance of aesthetic communication.
If we go on to define "Literature" from the Language Teaching point of view, we come across a very important
definition. According to Alexander Baird, "Literature is the use of language effectively in suitable conditions"
(Arthur Baird 1968:203, cited in Turker 199:p-300). To him literary texts can be used in language teaching,
because the language used in literary text is suitable for the contexts of the events.
Among the functions of literature, as seen in the definitions above, the most important one is the use of language.
Foreign language teachers adopt the method in accordance with the students’ level and their syllabus. This is the
reason why, Literature becomes the best media of teaching and learning Language.
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( 1972) who claim that literature is valuable authentic material which offers "authentic" samples of language -
for example, travel timetables, city plans, forms, pamphlets, cartoons, advertisements, and newspaper or
magazine articles. Learners are thus "exposed to language that is as genuine and undistorted as can be managed
in the classroom context." At least, literature can bring us a great deal of cultural information. Adlert and Doren
also claim the vital role of literature in cultural enrichment and linguistic enrichment. However, these two
authors stress upon the personal involvement that literature fosters in readers. Personal involvement can be
understood as the readers' close contact with the characters or the engagement in the event of the story, the
sharing of emotions and feelings between readers and characters, between readers and the author, and among
readers themselves. Therefore, students would have a chance to learn through literary texts in the classroom and
then improve their language awareness and cultural understanding.
Also, they would be motivated in their learning process when they find themselves capable of giving their
emotional responses. Personally, it would be most advantageous when using literary texts in teaching language,
especially if the lessons are well planned and if teachers are skilled enough to monitor the class in an interesting
and effective way.(cited in Thom 2008:p.120-121)
Selecting Literature
The effective use of literature in the ELT depends on the appropriate selection of literary texts. Literary texts that
are stylistically uncomplicated, it is important to select themes with which the students can identify. Certainly,
one common experience of most ESL students is their struggle with a language and culture with which they are
unfamiliar. Thus, literature which deals with either of these themes should be highly relevant to them.(cited in
McKay 1982, p.531-532)
Text selection is a ‘crucial factor’ (Maley, 2001: 184) in making literature a resource for linguistic development,
personal enrichment and cultural appreciation. McRae (1997) also says that “careful text selection is
fundamental to the successful use of any kind of representational materials” (1997:49). Collie and Slater (1994)
suggest that text selection depend on “each particular group of students, their needs, interests, cultural
background and language level” (1994: 6). Robert Hill (1995) demonstrates two sets of criteria in his essay.
Lazar (1993:52) also talks about some criteria. Combined criteria from all the sources mentioned above are
formulated in the following section:
The student’s cultural background
The student’s linguistic proficiency
The student’s literacy background
The student’s age and level of understanding.
Interesting texts
Availability and suitability of the text.
Motivation
Literary texts are very much motivating due to its authenticity and the meaningful context it provides (Ghosen
2002;Van 2009;cited in Khatib 2011:p.202).Due to its authenticity, literature can develop sociolinguistic and
pragmatic knowledge as manifested communicative competence models (Mackay,2001;cited in Khatib
2011:p.202).Sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence are two of the main components of the communicative
competence models. Hence, special attention is needed to be directed to this component. Literature due to its
authenticity is equipped with sociolinguistic and pragmatic information. These two features are more related to
‘appropriateness’ in language which can be found only in contextualized language such as literary texts, dramas
and plays.
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use level.” To the extent that the students enjoy reading literature, it may increase their motivation to interact
with a text and thus, ultimately increase their reading proficiency. It may also enhance students'
understanding of a foreign culture and perhaps "spur their own creation of imaginative works." .(cited in
Thom 2008:p.120)
For writing purposes, literature shows to set a good ground for writing practice. Having the learners complete a
poem or short story in close form is very interesting. Also we can have the students write the end of a story in
their own words or narrate a story, novella, or novel. Other similar creative activities can be developed for
writing practice.
For speaking purposes, the events in a poem, novel, or short story can be associated with the learners’ own
experience in real life. Such a practice paves the way for hot topics for discussion in language classes. Having
the students freely reflect on the events and having them critically comment is also facilitative for advancing
speaking proficiency.
For listening purposes, the learners can be exposed to the audio version of the poems, short stories, or novels.
Also the musical elements in poetry stimulate the learners’ desire for approximating their speaking patterns to
the native speaker norms by adhering to the principles of rhythm, rhyme, and intonation.
For reading purposes, as above mentioned; novel and poetry can provide good opportunities for extensive and
intensive reading. Also it is good for practicing reading sub-skills including skimming, scanning, finding the
main ideas. Reading in literature is a combination of reading for enjoyment and reading for information.
Therefore, it bridges the lacks in non-literary texts. In fact, literature is not only facilitative for language learning
purposes in general but it can also accelerate language learning in content-based instruction (Shang, 2006; cited
in Khatib 2011:p.202).
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that in order to understand some item as deviant, one must concede that there is a system of rules to which one
must conform. Whatever deviates from this system of rules is strange, unusual, irregular, etc. If the notion of
deviancy is accepted, it may in fact be held against itself: To produce deviant forms, one must know the rules. So,
in fact, language learning is being reinforced. In being conscious of the construction of ‘deviant’ expressions we
are working with limits of the possible along with what is impossible.(cited in Zyngier 1994:p.10-11).
I would like to stress that the integration of language and literature can work on different levels and for different
objectives. At university level, the integration may be very helpful as an introductory course to literary studies
where students are trained to be more independent critics who can arrive at an interpretation in a principled way.
Many of the objections raised by language teachers lose their strength when literature is understood as an
important manifestation of imagination and creativity, where there is no right or wrong, where human logic is
challenged and pushed to limits, where cultures and ideologies are checked and compared, where a language
system is not taken for granted. This is why I claim that literary texts are essential to language learning. What is
open to discussion is which texts to use and how to handle them. Ultimately what happens in the space and time
of a classroom depends on the teacher/student interaction. Therefore, it is up to each individual teacher to help
promote the integration between language and literature.
Conclusion
Though there is a few limitations, literature is viewed as a rich resource for language learning. For many students,
literature can provide a key to motivating them to read in English. For all students, literature is an ideal vehicle
for illustrating language use and for introducing cultural assumptions. In other words, literature is used to ‘put
students in touch with some of the more subtle and varied creative uses of language’ (Carter &Long, 1991, p.
2,cited in Zyngier 1994:p.9). Our success in using literature, of course, greatly depends upon a selection of texts
which will not be overly difficult on either a linguistic or conceptual level. Ultimately, however, if learners wish
to promote truly aesthetic reading and learning, it is essential to accept literature in a manner which establishes a
personal and aesthetic interaction of al earner and a text. Therefore, Literature is a new material in teaching and
learning communicative competence of the language. In the literature-based classroom, literature can be the
primary material of teaching the target language, providing authentic and real contexts of communicative
situations. It also provides the pleasure of learning a new language with and through interesting stories. Students
can extend their knowledge and experience of the world by reading literature. The language teacher should
encourage students to read literature for their own meanings and experiences instead of being forced to accept
the teacher's perception of the text literature provided examples of effective and appropriate usage of the
language for the students to learn. Literature also shows students new ways to view the world around them by
constructing meaning from the text. Literature indeed has a strong place in the ESL curriculum and teaching
language. In this light, literature is regarded as a beneficial medium in language teaching.
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