Literature in the TEFL Classroom Novels in the ESL Classroom
English literature usually refers to literature which has been written by authors of English nationality. ‘Literature in English’ as a term to describe the diversity of literature written in the English language, is growing in popularity.
What is a suitable literary text for second language learners? Language difficulty is an important consideration as this may restrict access if learners can’t gain a basic level of comprehension.
Another consideration is access on an experiential level, whereby students identify with the feelings, thoughts and ideas of the author. This self-discovery in turn, leads learners to appreciate and enjoy the text.
The enjoyment of literary text however, does not always need to be inhibited by language difficulty as a text that is both motivating and exciting may help learners overcome these barriers. Many teachers opt for the use of graded or simplified readers.
A teacher who selects materials which are motivating and which instills a desire to read and interpret may indeed stimulate literary competence.
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