9  New  Tips for  Using Literature  in  the  ESL  Classroom

Review Literature Terms

Though students have probably studied literature in their native languages, you should review the most common English literature terms with your class before starting a literature unit. These terms include vocabulary about people: character, protagonist, and antagonist. They also include parts of the literature: setting, plot, climax and resolution. Giving your students the tools to talk about literature both increases their vocabulary and enables them to express their individual ideas and opinions once they have read the piece. Without the necessary vocabulary, good insights may be lost when your students are not able to express themselves.

Select American or British Literature

Though not as noticeable to native speakers, there is quite a difference between American and British English. Make sure when you select your literature that you are choosing the correct style for the dialect you are teaching.

Contemporary Novels May be Easier to Understand

Contemporary novels may be easier for your students to understand because they are in a more familiar context. It can be hard enough for your student to try to live in and understand a foreign culture, but add a fifty year time gap and the task can approach impossible. Choose novels with contemporary settings as opposed to historical fiction or those with a fantasy setting. Though more advanced students may be able to handle historical fiction, there is no reason to add stress to beginning and intermediate level students with a setting that’s hard to relate to.

Choose Books that Have a Movie

You can show the movie before reading the piece, while reading it or after reading it. Make the movie available in language lab for students to watch on their own. There are also many activities you can do with the movie.

Review Characters in the Piece

Take time before reading to introduce the characters to your students, and give them a list of the most important ones. If you can provide a description of each character’s role in the novel or story you will be giving your students a heads up for comprehension.

Present Themes

Introduce themes that students will encounter as they read the text. Have a discussion time before reading to talk about these themes. If themes are controversial you may want to look at tips specific for working with a controversial topic.

Give a Summary

It may feel like cheating, something all teachers want to avoid, but when it comes to reading a foreign language the rules are a little different. Give students a summary of each reading selection. Make it optional to read. They may want to read the text, then the summary, then the text again. Encourage your students to focus on content rather than structure while they read.

Review Unusual Vocabulary

Before assigning the text, review the vocabulary with your students. There are many ways to introduce new vocabulary.You may want create a vocabulary list for each chapter as you read it. Reassure students that they are not expected to understand every word they read, but encourage them to guess at the meaning of unfamiliar words just as native speakers do. It’s a reading skill that is necessary for their future success with English.

Discussion

One of the most beneficial activities to come from reading a novel as a class is discussion. Discuss what you read. Discuss what the author’s message is. Discuss what your opinion of the issue is. Allow your students to observe what they read, interpret it and apply it to their own lives. Giving discussion questions ahead of time will allow students to think while they read and be more prepared for class discussions.

 Best Wishes...

Nikita Gadani