The article “Literature in the ESL Classroom” by Sandra McKay emphasizes the importance of using literature to teach ESL students, the idea which has long been neglected by many. In the article the author argues against the belief that literature plays little role in the ESL context. The author, in her effort to support her argument, also proposes how literature should be approached in a way that it can be successful for classroom use. This article critique will examine the author’s argument for using literature in the ESL classroom with the light from other research.
Before going straight to her points, the author raises three arguments against using literature in the ESL classroom such as: literature cannot be used to teach grammar, literature …show more content…
For academic goal, for example, students will be exposed to an even more considerable amount of text once they go to the academic program, and therefore, those who have been familiarized themselves with the literature before will have an advantage. This proves that teaching literature in ESL classrooms is not futile whatsoever. In addition, occupational goal can also be attributed to the learning of literature. On the surface, as it is argued, those who oppose using literature in ESL class may not see any advantage. However, learning literature means acquiring skills in using the language. For instance, Oster (1989), in his support of using literature in ESL classrooms, asserts that literature can help students to write creatively. As a matter of fact, the ability to communicate through writing is of course needed in most workplace. Furthermore, employers also look for employees who have soft skills and literature has contributed a lot to the development of soft skills. This is emphasized by Koosha and Jalilnejad (2015) who state, “Literature is so powerful that it can change the thoughts, lessen the negative manner and enhance empathy, sympathy, forgiveness, patience and so on” (p. 59). In short, it is rational to say literature plays a big
Before going straight to her points, the author raises three arguments against using literature in the ESL classroom such as: literature cannot be used to teach grammar, literature …show more content…
For academic goal, for example, students will be exposed to an even more considerable amount of text once they go to the academic program, and therefore, those who have been familiarized themselves with the literature before will have an advantage. This proves that teaching literature in ESL classrooms is not futile whatsoever. In addition, occupational goal can also be attributed to the learning of literature. On the surface, as it is argued, those who oppose using literature in ESL class may not see any advantage. However, learning literature means acquiring skills in using the language. For instance, Oster (1989), in his support of using literature in ESL classrooms, asserts that literature can help students to write creatively. As a matter of fact, the ability to communicate through writing is of course needed in most workplace. Furthermore, employers also look for employees who have soft skills and literature has contributed a lot to the development of soft skills. This is emphasized by Koosha and Jalilnejad (2015) who state, “Literature is so powerful that it can change the thoughts, lessen the negative manner and enhance empathy, sympathy, forgiveness, patience and so on” (p. 59). In short, it is rational to say literature plays a big