Connecting Language to Content: Second Language Literature Instruction at the Interrnediate Level

Abstract

Meaningfully integrating multidimensional approaches with learner-cm tered, workshop-style second language (L2) literature instruction at intermediate-level proficiency can help students increase their linguistic competence and further both their cultural understanding and analytical thinking skills. Moreover, the utilization of drama techniques and enactment strategies encourages students to form an interpretive community, to become more creative, and to apply their social, physical, and intel lectual selves to L2 literature analysis. Concurrently, cross-cultural training exercises increase their understanding of the target culture. A carefully conceived literature-based curriculum takes students' linguistic development into consideration at all levels and, in view of a language department's financial viability in the corporate university environment, invariably leads to higher levels of student retention.