Enhancing language skills through English novel instruction

Abstract

The use of literature, particularly novels, is crucial in English-as-Foreign-Language (EFL) classrooms for language skill development. Education today emphasizes holistic learning, fostering independence, and personality development. This approach requires rethinking traditional teaching methods and considering interdisciplinary aspects. English holds a pivotal role in creativity and communication fields, making it essential for fostering intercultural competence, identity development, altered perspectives, and tolerance. Literature greatly contributes to these goals. The study focuses on the impact of teaching novels in EFL classrooms, determining suitable texts for language learning. Novels are unanimously recognized as an effective tool for instilling reading habits in students. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the novel's potential to enhance students’ language skills, focusing on vocabulary expansion and grammatical structure acquisition. Additionally, the study aims to identify shortcomings in current teaching methods employed for novels in classrooms. Through statistical analysis of tests conducted, this research successfully demonstrates that when novels are methodically and earnestly integrated into linguistic instruction, they significantly contribute to learners’ language development. Despite the importance of novels in language education, their full potential remains untapped due to inadequate teaching approaches. The study reveals a notable disparity between students’ pre-test and post-test scores, highlighting the impactful role of comprehensive and effective novel-based language teaching methods.