STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ОN TEACHING LITERATURE IN EFL CLASSES: VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES FOR CREATING EXCITING CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES

Abstract

Literature and language are intricately interconnected. Literature is built by means of language, and in turn all aspects of language are enriched due to the creative and innovative use of language in literary works. Teaching literature is a truly demanding task, particularly, in the context of teaching EFL where practically little or no room is left for dealing with literary pieces. A number of studies have proved that the benefits of incorporating literature in EFL classes are numerous; still, literature seems to be grossly neglected in the foreign language classrooms. The study at hand attempts to shed some light on future English teachers’ perspectives on teaching literature in EFL classes. More precisely, by conducting structured interviews with second cycle students majoring in the English language and literature at the Faculty of Education – Bitola and doing detailed analysis of their lesson plans, we aimed at ascertaining whether their position towards teaching literature is positive or not; what literary genres they find most suitable for EFL classes; what teaching methods and techniques they would prefer to use in an attempt to integrate literature in EFL classes, and how they feel about utilizing ICTs as a tool for organizing, engaging and stimulating activities for their EFL students.