USING LITERARY TEXTS IN THE ENGLISH CLASS
Maria Camelia Galaftion , Colegiul Național „ Octavian Goga ” Sibiu
Abstract : Literary fragments are valuable tools that help teachers make their lessons enjoyable as long as they are carefully selected and adapted to the students ’ level of understanding , linguistic competence , needs and interests . Provided that the purpose of the activities which involve using literary texts is clearly defined , literature motivates learners to explore , to analyse , to ask , to discuss , or to criticise . The focus of many new teaching approaches is on the students ’ reaction to content , the development of students ’ interpretative skills , since literature is open to interpretation , and the profound understanding of human relationships and values in different social and historical contexts . Therefore , the literary excerpts are regarded as mere starting points for various activities which aim at enhancing reading , speaking , writing , and listening skills .
Key words : literature , text , skill , approach , activity , teaching , reading , comprehension , analysis , critical thinking
Should English teachers use literary texts in the English class ? If yes , to what extent ? Should they encourage their students to read ? Are literary fragments still relevant to today ’ s digital generation or has literature become redundant ? Answering these questions is a difficult endeavour . Nevertheless , if we manage to choose some of the most appropriate and appealing texts and if we explain to our students the importance of reading different types of texts with a view to discovering new worlds and valuable ideas , we may convince them that reading is not an old-fashioned habit , but a useful tool which develops logical and critical thinking , language skills , imagination , and creativity . If we want to be successful , we need to shift the focus of our approach from the dry , intricate , sophisticated , and dogmatic analysis of the literary text to the student ’ s personal reaction to content .
Why should we develop our students ’ reading skills ? 1 . Reading is relaxing and entertaining . 2 . Reading helps our students learn new things . 3 . Reading improves memory and concentration . 4 . Reading improves vocabulary and language skills . 5 . Reading strengthens analytical skills .
First , we should stop looking at literature teaching and language teaching as two separate and different things . If we think of the creative potential that literature can bring to the language classroom , we will understand why literary extracts and language practice will work perfectly together . We can involve our students in writing and speaking activities built around key moments of the fragments , stories , plays or novels that we are trying to discuss with our students . How can we do that ? For example , instead of insisting on a highly technical stylistic analysis of the text , we can invite our students to complete some blanks , rearrange the sentences , continue the story , report the words of the speakers , identify certain language structures , act out some fragments , express their opinions etc .
Second , literary fragments can be used to engage the students in meaningful communicative activities . Thus , we will develop written and oral communication , we
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