Combing Learners’ Challenges in The Learning of Literature in Malaysian ESL Classrooms: A Review

Abstract

Incorporating literature in English language classrooms has been long implemented worldwide. Its benefits are undeniable since many past studies have proven that it could help the learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) improve their language proficiency. Despite many of the benefits shown, there are some difficulties encountered in the learning of literature in ESL classrooms. This review addressed two research questions, namely (a) examining the challenges learners encounter when learning English literature in an ESL classroom and (b) identifying alternative ways in learning literature. Around 40 research studies from the year of 2015 – 2022 and four (4) of past pertinent studies ranging from 2000 – 2010 were shortlisted from two databases, Google Scholar and UKM e-journal based on these two review questions. This review explored the challenges of learners when learning literature in ESL classrooms under three key concepts which are literary text, cultural differences, and learner’s attitude toward learning literature. This review further explored the alternative ways to learn literature which revealed two approaches through mapping and using multimodality as a medium of learning. This study then proposes further research on overcoming the challenges and maximising future research on the diversity of teaching and learning approaches in all feasible ways.