Idea Transcript
ISSN: 2249-7196 IJMRR/Jan. 2016/ Volume 6/Issue 1/Article No-3/17-20 Pradeep S. Raj et. al., / International Journal of Management Research & Review
ROLE OF LITERATURE IN FACILITATING LANGUAGE LEARNING Prof. Dr. A. Chandran1, Pradeep S. Raj*2 1 2
Assoc. Prof. (English), RVS College of Engineering, Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India.
Asst. Prof. (English), Rathinam Technical Campus, Eachanari, Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India.
ABSTRACT It is clearly known that an ideal literary text with good quality can stimulate the language learning among the readers and it can elicit a wide range of responses from the learners which are facilitating for language learning. It can stimulate imagination of the learners, make them use new beautiful words in their conversation .It helps them to involve in various fruitful discussions. It creates personal involvement in the learning process and brings out clear picture about different cultures and nationalities by making them familiar with the norms and behaviors of the people and helps in cultural enrichment. Keywords: Literary Texts, Communicative Skills, Communicative language Learning, Socio - Political Backgrounds INTRODUCTION Literature comes to identify collection of texts. A work of literature is equated with a collection of stories, poems, and plays that mainly focused upon a particular text. Literature is generally used in English Language Teaching (ELT) for the development of knowledge about the language. It helps the learners to get familiar with the socio-political backgrounds of target language society and also makes them understand how communication takes place in a particular community. This broadens the understanding of human nature. Literature deals with universal issues by creating a thought among the people that they are also the part of the whole humanity. People can learn the various structures and functions of language through literary text. It inculcates their communicative skill of the language. It is a part of communicative language learning. It supports the positive view of using literature in language learning and shows that literary texts especially stories can be used in the language learning for developing the major skills as well as different sub-skills of the learners. There are various reasons for reading an ideal literary work. One of the main reasons is, it enables the reader to learn the language. By reading literature the reader can develop language skills unconsciously without much effort. It helps the learners to get familiar with the sociopolitical backgrounds of target language society and also makes them understand how communication takes place in a particular community. This broadens the understanding of human nature. Literature deals with universal issues by creating a thought among the people that they are also the part of the whole humanity. *Corresponding Author
www.ijmrr.com
17
Pradeep S. Raj et. al., / International Journal of Management Research & Review
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objective of the study is to examine the role of literature in facilitating language learning. It also aims to explore the appropriate techniques to facilitate language learning through literature. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The study was of descriptive nature. It was done based upon the Primary and Secondary Sources. The secondary sources were based on the journals, magazines, periodicals, Research Reports and Websites. ROLE OF LITERATURE IN FACILITATING LANGUAGE LEARNING Many critics have objected to the use of literature in language learning. But Researchers have responded to it logically and explained the importance of literature in language learning. According to them literature gives students’ exposure to meaningful contexts full of descriptive language and interesting characters. It introduces an intense range of vocabulary, dialogues and prose that can be used to prepare the learners to communicate the language by using the new words which they learn from the literary text. Literature helps the learners to develop interpretative abilities. According to Povey’s (1972) observation “literature will increase all language skills because literature will extend linguistic knowledge by giving evidence of extensive and subtle vocabulary usage, and complex and exact syntax” (cited in McKay 1982: 529). Literature enables the learners to get familiar with universal issues and thereby motivates them into reading. Language-based approach is another effective approach that facilitates students’ responses and experiences with literature and provides more language access for the learners (Littlewood, 1986). Literature learning can make learners more conscious, reflective and creative and thereby speed up their language learning process. ADVANTAGES OF USING LITERATURE FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING Language learning through literature has four main advantages. They are
To facilitate intelligence and sensibility training To stimulate students’ creative and literary imagination To improve students’ general cultural awareness To enhance the psycholinguistic aspect of language learning.
To facilitate intelligence and sensibility training Through literature, the learners get the knowledge to speak about science, even if they don’t work in the field of science and Technology. They also can express their opinion about a political aspect, since they have read something connected to that. Parkinson and Thomas (2000: 9-11) say that it provides a good model for good writing; it is memorable, important and challenging, and it also helps assimilate the rhythms of a language; therefore facilitating intelligence and sensibility training. When reading literary texts, the learners practice and develop their reading skills and strategies, which contribute to development of their fluency and proficiency.
Copyright © 2016 Published by IJMRR. All rights reserved
18
Pradeep S. Raj et. al., / International Journal of Management Research & Review
To stimulate students’ creative and literary imagination When the learners read a literary text they come to meet kings and queens, époques many years ago, dream in the world of the rich or imagine how life will be in the future. It gives them the possibility to be another character in the story they read, to judge it from their perspective, to imagine the ending of it. Sometimes they identify themselves with the characters in the stories they read and the story can give them some clues to solve their problems and how to react in certain circumstances. So that it gives life time experience and facilitate them in language learning. To improve students’ general cultural awareness Literature helps students understand and make sense of the world around them. Through literature, they explore the human condition and analyze how and why people think. Literature enables students to develop their minds analytically and promotes open minds. Students see the world through the eyes different writers from different cultures and in turn learn the ways to deal with things happening around them. Without literature, we lack the proper understanding of human nature. Moreover, literature holds great status in many cultures and countries. Therefore students can feel the real essence of great literature. Literature moulds the whole learner's personality that includes a lot of cross-curricular and cross-cultural relations. To enhance the psycholinguistic aspect of language learning It focuses on form and discourse processing skills and improves vocabulary expansion and reading skills. According to Hedge, “Literary texts can develop the student’s knowledge of language at the levels of vocabulary and structure and at the level of textual organization” (1985:22). According to Hall, literature has experienced a revival with the advent of communicative approach in language teaching as it provides learners with authentic, pleasurable and cultural material (2005:47-57). While reading, learners will get the opportunity to recycle and fix the vocabulary already learnt and meet new expressions. IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE IN LANGUAGE LEARNING In case of teaching language through literature, the text acts as a material to promote critical thinking and to develop language. The stories of reasonable length that are loaded with Vocabulary and have compelling topics are encouraging for the students. McKay (1982: 536) rightly points out “success in using literature greatly depends upon a selection of text which will not be overly difficult on either a linguistic or conceptual level”. Since the ultimate goal of the EFL classrooms is “acquisition” of English .Stylistics is the direct application of linguistic evidence to interpret and analyze literature and stylistic analysis strongly represents the EFL instructional perspectives (Short, 1996 cited in Kellem, 2009). Through stylistic analysis the students can have the opportunity to explicate the formal features of English including the levels of phonology, vocabulary, grammar and discourse and relate them to an understanding of the texts. According to Povey’s (1972) observation “literature will increase all language skills because literature will extend linguistic knowledge by giving evidence of extensive and subtle vocabulary usage, and complex and exact syntax” (cited in McKay 1982: 529). This can help the learners to facilitate the language learning. Copyright © 2016 Published by IJMRR. All rights reserved
19
Pradeep S. Raj et. al., / International Journal of Management Research & Review
CONCLUSION Literature provides authentic material. The learners are exposed to actual language samples from real life and literature acts as a beneficial complement to such materials.Using literature in English Language Teaching has beneficial to facilitate intelligence and sensibility training, to stimulate students’ creative and literary imagination, to improve students’ general cultural awareness, and to enhance the psycholinguistic aspect of language learning. Brumfit and Carter (1986:15) assert the point that “a literary text is authentic text, real language in context, to which we can respond directly”. Such a text securely grips the reader’s imagination and makes scopes for the examination of the language as well. Literature may provide the appropriate way of stimulating the acquisition and learning of languages by providing meaningful and memorable contexts for processing and interpreting new language. Reading literature, however, also increases learners’ awareness of language use since literary texts present language in discourse set in different social contexts. REFERENCES [1] Banegas D. The Role of Literature in ELT - Part One, 2010. [2] Brumfit CJ, Carter RA. (eds.) Literature and Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. [3] Correia R. Encouraging Critical Reading in the EFL Classroom. English Teaching Forum 2006; 44(1): 16-19. [4] Arjen DK, Lazar G. Literature and Language Teaching: A Guide for Teachers and Trainers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Copyright © 2016 Published by IJMRR. All rights reserved
20