Once upon a time… This classic opening sets the stage for stories, just as literature itself prepares students for engaging with language. In English Language Teaching (ELT), literature is a powerful tool for developing language skills, expanding cultural understanding, and fostering critical thinking. This article explores the various facets of Literature in English Language Teaching, providing a comprehensive overview for students and educators.
Why Use Literature in English Language Teaching (ELT)?
Literature is more than just stories; it's a window into language's richness and versatility. As Brewster and Ellis (2002) suggest, studying literature profoundly enhances our language skills. It reveals how words convey deep emotions—happiness, passion, or deceit—beyond their basic definitions.
Beyond linguistic benefits, literature fosters empathy by immersing us in diverse beliefs and experiences. For instance, David McKee's Elmer the Patchwork Elephant celebrates diversity and acceptance, teaching that dissimilarities are inconsequential. Literature also introduces learners to the culture of the country, including habits, customs, and ways of life.
Fernando Pessoa's quote, "Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life," highlights its timeless appeal. Writers like Charles Dickens, born in 1812, addressed issues that still resonate today. His advice from David Copperfield, "My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time," remains highly relevant centuries later. Literature helps us interpret the world as an art form that uses language to convey universal themes like pain, love, human nature, and truth.
Benefits of Literature in English Language Teaching (ELT)
Integrating literature into the English classroom offers multiple advantages, aligning with educational goals and key competencies:
- Language Skill Enhancement: Students discover the characteristics of written language, learning new vocabulary, structures, and connectors.
- Cultural Immersion: Literature provides an ideal introduction to the foreign language's culture, offering insights into societal diversity and complexity.
- Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Stories about different beliefs and experiences broaden students' perspectives and foster understanding.
- Engagement and Motivation: Attractive and appropriate texts encourage students to read until the end, transforming reading from a task into a hobby.
- Development of Reading Habits: Aligning with Primary Education Goals (Article 17 LOMLOE, letter E), literature helps cultivate a lifelong love for reading.
- Key Competence Development: It primarily develops communicative competence, multilingual competence, and cultural expression and awareness (Article 9 of RD 157/2022).
Even in the darkest times, happiness can be found, as J. K. Rowling wrote in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This sentiment is often echoed in the impactful lessons literature provides.
Types of Texts in English Language Teaching: A Detailed Look
Understanding different text types is crucial for effective literature integration in ELT. Texts can be classified into four main categories, each serving a distinct purpose:
Descriptive Texts
These texts paint a vivid picture for the reader, portraying people, places, or things. An example is Roald Dahl’s description of Charlie’s house in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:
'The house wasn't nearly large enough for so many people. There were only two rooms in the place altogether, and there was only one bed. The bed was given to the four old grandparents because they were so old and tired. They were so tired, they never got out of it.'
Narrative Texts
Narrative texts present a sequence of events in chronological order, telling a story. A passage from J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone illustrates this:
'He hurried up to his office, seized his telephone, and had almost finished dialling his home number when he changed his mind. He put the receiver back down and thought... No, he was being stupid. Potter wasn't such an unusual name.'
Expository Texts
These non-fictional texts aim to explain a specific topic. The very text you are reading now is an example of an expository text, designed to inform and clarify.
Argumentative Texts
Argumentative texts seek to persuade the reader. Imagine an email from a publishing company presenting fantastic books for classroom use and highlighting their pedagogical potential. Its purpose is to convince you of their value.
Authentic vs. Adapted Texts: A Key Distinction for ELT Students
In didactic contexts, distinguishing between authentic and adapted (or graded) texts is essential for effective English Language Teaching.
Authentic Texts
- Definition: Written for English-speaking children, with language that has not been selected or graded.
- Advantage: Expose learners to real, natural language.
- Disadvantage: Can be very difficult for learners with limited English knowledge to understand.
Adapted or Graded Texts
- Definition: Specifically written for teaching English as a foreign language, with carefully selected and graded language.
- Advantages: Pedagogically useful for overcoming linguistic difficulties, enable gradual student progression, and prepare students for extensive reading and, ultimately, authentic texts.
Maintaining a balance between these two types of texts in the foreign language classroom is crucial. Both offer clear benefits for enhancing language learning.
Historical Context of Children's Literature for English Language Teaching (ELT)
Exploring children's literature through a historical timeline helps identify the most adequate authors and works for the English classroom.
Middle Ages (1066 - end of 15th century)
- Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales: A collection of 24 tales with morals, narrating a pilgrimage. Chaucer's desire was for everything written to teach.
- Robin Hood: Inspired by Robin of Locksley, a legendary archer who stole from the rich to help the poor, fighting against the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John Lackland.
Renaissance (Late 15th - Early 17th Century)
- Charles Perrault: Known for classic stories like Little Red Riding Hood, The Sleeping Beauty, and Puss in Boots. His original versions were often darker; for example, in Perrault's Little Red Riding Hood, she dies without salvation.
- William Shakespeare: The most well-known English author globally, famous for plays like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. For primary kids, adaptations like María Inés Falconi's comedic versions are highly recommended, portraying characters like Romeo as a ballet dancer and Juliet as a punk rock star.
18th Century
Economic improvements and an increase in literacy led to more authors:
- Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (1719): About a castaway telling his life and adventures. This can spark discussions about modern-day equivalents, like a man living 27 years on a desert island, choosing to escape civilization.
- Jonathan Swift's Gulliver’s Travels (1726): A series of four books detailing Gulliver's journeys, though his name only appears in the title.
19th Century
During Queen Victoria's prosperous 64-year reign, literature flourished:
- Lewis Carroll's Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Alice's imagination flies to a nonsensical world because she's bored with her sister's book. A lesser-known second part also exists.
- The Grimm Brothers (Jacob and Wilhelm): Famous for collecting oral stories like Hansel and Gretel and Snow White. Like Perrault, their originals are often creepier; Snow White's stepmother is forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes until she dies at Snow White's wedding.
- Hans Christian Andersen: Authored The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling. The latter's moral, "appearances do not matter," reflects Andersen's own childhood feelings of being ugly and rare, resonating with many children today.
- Charles Dickens: Highly useful for EFL teachers. His novels David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations are popular, and A Christmas Carol remains a customary Yuletide read.
20th Century
Despite wars and economic crises, this century saw significant literary shifts:
- Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Describes Dorothy's adventure and is sometimes interpreted as a metaphor for American political struggles of the time. It was one of the first children's books to describe realistic American places.
- Roald Dahl: A master of short stories for both adults and children, writing nineteen children's books including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda. His novels often reflect unpleasant experiences from his English boarding school education.
- Julia Donaldson: A former pediatrician known for The Gruffalo, Monkey Puzzle, Room on the Broom, and Stick Man. Her books, often illustrated by Alex Scheffler, are excellent for young children due to their engaging illustrations.
- Eric Carle: A writer and illustrator whose father's WWII experiences led him to use many colors and illustrations, bringing light into his books. His most famous work is The Hungry Caterpillar.
- J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series: Created a magical world where everything was possible, with the first book published in 1997 and the last in 2007. Millions worldwide read her books and learn from inspiring lines like the one about finding happiness in the darkest of times.
Conclusion: The Pedagogical View of Literature in ELT
Reading in English presents a challenge, especially if students find it difficult in their native language. The first contact is crucial; an attractive text will keep a student reading.
It is essential to provide students with titles appropriate to their age, characteristics, contexts, and likes. Offering reading lists instead of just one obligatory book helps students see reading as a hobby rather than a compulsory task. The correct and positive use of literature in primary education is always beneficial.
Embrace the "pedagogical view": connecting everyday observations to potential classroom applications. For example, a recommended book on Amazon might spark an idea for a lesson on days of the week. This continuous search for educational opportunities is what makes teaching so dynamic and rewarding.
Literature in English Language Teaching: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the main benefits of using literature in English Language Teaching?
The main benefits include enhancing language skills, fostering empathy and cultural understanding, promoting critical thinking, and developing lifelong reading habits. It exposes students to authentic language use and diverse perspectives.
How do authentic and adapted texts differ, and which should be used in ELT?
Authentic texts are written for native speakers, offering natural language but can be challenging. Adapted texts are simplified for EFL learners, aiding gradual progress. A balance of both is recommended, starting with adapted texts and moving towards authentic ones.
Can you provide examples of children's literature suitable for different age groups in ELT?
For younger learners, Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo or David McKee's Elmer the Patchwork Elephant are excellent. For older primary students, adaptations of classic tales, simplified Shakespeare, or early Harry Potter books are effective. Authors like Roald Dahl and Eric Carle also offer engaging stories across various age groups.
How can I make literature engaging for students who struggle with reading in English?
Provide choices of books tailored to their interests, age, and language level. Use visuals, audio versions, and pre-reading activities to build context. Incorporate interactive tasks, discussions, and creative projects (like drawing or role-playing) to make the experience more dynamic and less intimidating.
What role does literature play in developing cultural awareness in ELT?
Literature serves as a rich source for cultural exploration, introducing students to the customs, values, and ways of life of English-speaking cultures. By reading stories from different backgrounds, students gain a deeper understanding of global diversity and broaden their own perspectives. Barack Obama's book on American figures and Queen Rania of Jordan’s The Sandwich Swap are good examples that foster cultural understanding.