Name : Himanshi Parmar.
Department of English, MK Bhavnagar University.
Title :
English learning through literature with reference to language skills,areas, and more.
Abstract :
How does literature help in English language learning? How is literature related to language? Why should literary texts be used in language classes? What kind of literature helps to develop language skills? This paper aims to emphasise this sort of question. Literature and language are interlinked.Literature can be written in language only, and if one wants to learn any language, then there is no better option than literature. Literature helps to teach language skills as well as language areas like vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, format of writing etc. Literature can make learning the English language interesting through various genres. Sometimes learning a language becomes boring, and that detaches learners from learning English. but when one can learn it with poetry recitation, delightful short stories and novels it increases enthusiasm for learning. In ancient era, skill of writing was not developed, at that time, the best way to learn foreign language was to listen songs, stories, fiction from someone's mouth.Literature is considered authentic material, However literature are not written with purpose of teaching language, it still useful to learn language in real life contexts. Reading literature also helps to understand cultural differences which helps to understand native speakers. And according to Collie and Slater, through literature, learners become familiar with different linguistic forms, communicative functions and easily understand words that have various shades which create different meanings depending on the context. Language skills,language areas,difficulties to understand culture and native language, literary genre and its usefulness, and reference of ancient English learning. All these aspects are covered in detail in the paper.
Key words :
Literature, language skills, Classroom, native language, literary genre, Drama.
Introduction :
Teaching English through literature is one of the best authentic materials. Literature provides features of language as well as aesthetic beauty of language. Literature plays an important part in English language learning. But it is not the main aim of literature to teach language, yet literature helps to teach language skills, grammar, vocabulary, and many more. Language learning is at one point a quite boring activity,as it is similar to an activity which one can do for the first time. But literature makes it interesting. There are many various genres in literature like poetry, novel, fiction, short story, autobiography etc, which provide variety in learning and increase interest of learners. Also learning through literature is a very ancient idea, when there were no sources to write, like paper,technology,typewriter,nothing was available. At that time people learn English orally by listening to songs, stories,riddles etc, which all are part of literature.
Without language, literature can not exist. Similarly, literature is an integral part of language. Not only in English, but in all languages. Literature helps to understand native speakers and also English proverbs, idiomology and metaphors. In my research paper, I have tried to ponder all the above points in detail.
Connection between Literature and Language :
According to the Oxford Dictionary, "Literature is pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems." And "Language means the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or area". Language and literature are interlinked. Without language, literature cannot be possible. And literature is an integral part of language. Literature is one of the best authentic sources to learn English. Collie and Slater in 1987, Johnson in 1981, And Widdowson, 1983, conducted research to find the role of literature in language classes.and they proved that literary text should be used for English language teaching for many reasons. Also Lazar (1993) gave some reasons to use literary texts in language classrooms, for example,
1. It is very motivating.
2. It is authentic material.
3. It has general educational value.
4. It is found in many syllabuses.
5. It helps students to understand another culture.
6. It is a stimulus for language acquisition.
7. It develops students’ interpretative abilities.
8. Students enjoy it and it is fun.
9. It is highly valued and has a high status.
10. It expands students’ language awareness.
11. It encourages students to talk about their opinions and feelings.
Language Skills :
Literature is very much important in teaching Language skills like, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. It not only teaches the skills but also enrich Confidence of learners.here, the detail information is given below,
1- Reading Skill :
The very first thing is literature can help to enrich reading skills and speed up reading. And when learners learn to read, discussion moves forward at another level, like they start reading, discussing plot, characters, settings, themes, symbols etc, Which provide a perfect environment to discuss about all this cultural things, and expand their views and imagination for culture of English people that helps to understand native language as well as variation in reading and writing forms. Also reading literature makes learners think about plot, structure, symbols, characters and themes,so that the more they think the more they learn.Reading literature also gives them variety to read, like Novel, Short stories, Fiction, Autobiography, Prose and many more to maintain their interest. Reading literature Will raise questions in their minds, and that provokes their problem solving ability which again is very important to learn English.
2- Writing Skill :
Literature has various forms, like novels, Short stories, fiction, Prose etc, and all the types are written differently. Which diversifies our writing style. Writing should be learned in two ways, first by writing literature or writing criticism on it. Both can help to learn how different sentences and words are used in writing. Also writing literature can also help to learn different spellings, and structures in sentences. Literature provides a variety of themes to write which automatically increase one's interest towards learning English.
3 - Listening Skill :
Literature helps to enrich listening skills. In language class, if the teacher reads literary texts or sings a song or poetry then it will be very easy and interesting to learn English for learners.it will also help them to understand differences while writing and speaking. Although it not just enhances learners interest but also their knowledge about English Language. Scientifically also Listening is better than reading and writing to learn something. Literature is the best source to listen and read.
4 - Speaking :
Literature plays a major role in learning how to speak. Speaking can be learned with various activities like drama performances, by recording videos and audios, by stage performances of Solo acting, and monologues, and by Group activities and class activities, and oral reading. Below is the provided detailed information about it.
English Learning by Drama :
Performance of any literary text as a drama is the most amazing activity for speaking skills, as well as for learning English. It helps to learn tonation, flow and speed of dialogues, expressions while speaking English. Also if one wants to perform any dialogue, it is very important to understand the dialogue fully first, then only they become able to perform it well. And for that they have to think in depth, to understand meaning and pronunciation that helps them learn well. Along with that students can write scripts on their own and will prepare dialogues and perform that build their confidence in English Language speaking. Learners can learn how native speakers are supposed to speak and write or read, what difficulties they used to face while writing and speaking, where learners are lacking to understand the language and grammar etc.
Group Activities and Class activities :
Various activities related to literature are useful to explore English language skills. For example, activities like in which a group of students prepare charts of characters, symbols, themes of any literary texts, that helps make them think so much about text which is written in English. And the more they think, the more they learn. Along with them activities like debate on any topic related literature, build learners confidence while speaking. This is one of the most influential way to teach language,
Video and Audio Recordings :
Video and audio recording are best preserved proofs of our improvement, one who regularly does videos and audios, like video / audio of any poetry recitation, poem singing, storytelling, is able to judge his past speaking skill and present improved skills. That's how technology helps us to learn language along with the help of literature. Sometimes movies based on literature can also help to learn.
Grammar / Vocabulary / Pronunciation :
Literature can help to improve grammar, vocabulary and Pronunciation. In all the literary genres writing style,Structure and size of text are different, Which helps to learn various kinds of sentence patterns and structure. Also Literature is a treasure trove of words.for example one novel, fiction and short story contains hundreds of new words, and reading literature, discussion on literature in English classroom enriches vocabulary of Learners. Also Literature is one of the best authentic material, which is also a notable thing, so preparation from it is trustworthy. Literature can also help to improve Pronunciation. If we read poems, we find lots of tongue twister words, also rhyming words, words that are hard to speak, and if we practice it everyday, it will be easy to pronounce. Literature is all in one. We can learn figures of speech, metaphors, pronunciation, vocabulary, and different sentence patterns in all novels, stories, poems, prose, and fiction, all of this are written in different style so it is good source to learn that which kind of word, sentence or structure, used in which kind of writing while write or read English.
Problems in understanding native language :
The best way to learn English, or we can say not only English but any language is to visit that country or place from where it originated.And stay there for quite a long time and learn English and Native Tone of that Language. But it is not possible for all to visit England and stay there, as specially foreign learners, for them it is close to impossible. So the best replacement of this idea is reading or learning literature.Literature was written by native writers and by foreign writers in the same language, and when we compare and study both together, it will help to learn not only a simple language but also native language. One can easily understand native people or speakers after reading literature written by native speakers.
Ancient way of teaching / Learning :
If we look at history, we find that in ancient times, no writing facilities were available, like paper, typewriters, technology, nothing was available. At that time people used to learn orally, and memorise Various languages. The main source they preferred to learn was to listen to regional stories,songs, and poetries. And that's how they learn with fun. And all these Stories, poetries, and songs are part of literature now. So teaching English through literature was a very old custom.
Conclusion :
So, by these observations, we are able to interpret that Literature is one of the most useful and authentic sources in English Language Teaching (ELT). As it was a very ancient idea also. Along with it, literature provides variety in learning, with differences of genres And keeps learners interested in learning. Literature can also help to explore Vocabulary and Knowledge of the English Language. And teach sentence structures and pronunciation. Also activities related to literature can also help to teach the English language.
Works cited :
Murat, H. (2005, April 1). Teaching English through literature Marut H.pdf. Google Drive. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07bsmb1gS38NVhobzVMQ0lLV0E/edit?resourcekey=0-AU-Jz-4LdZlvLwzp9qRlxg
Patricia, Tehan, et al. “The Place of Literature in an English Language Teaching ...” The Place of Literature in an English Language Teaching Program: What Do Students Think About It? , 2 Sept. 2015, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Banu-Inan-Karaguel-2/publication/306065199_The_Place_of_Literature_in_an_English_Language_Teaching_Program_What_Do_Students_Think_About_It/links/57ad893108ae0932c9757dc4/The-Place-of-Literature-in-an-English-Language-Teaching-Program-What-Do-Students-Think-About-It.pdf.
Patricia, Tehan, et al. “The Place of Literature in an English Language Teaching ...” The Place of Literature in an English Language Teaching Program: What Do Students Think About It? , 2 Sept. 2015, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Banu-Inan-Karaguel-2/publication/306065199_The_Place_of_Literature_in_an_English_Language_Teaching_Program_What_Do_Students_Think_About_It/links/57ad893108ae0932c9757dc4/The-Place-of-Literature-in-an-English-Language-Teaching-Program-What-Do-Students-Think-About-It.pdf.
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