GLOBAL SKILLS THROUGH LITERATUR

Abstract

The 21st century has brought significant changes in almost all aspects of life, however, the one most affected by the rapid transformation is education. The first two decades of 21st century education were mostly characterized by frameworks prepared by organizations like UNESCO, OECD, and Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21). These frameworks focused on skills and competencies necessary for 21st century students but were criticised for being overtly careeristic overlooking the overall wellbeing of the students. However, the frameworks weren’t rejected in toto but were improvised to accommodate objections raised. It was broadly agreed that the contemporary world is witnessing rapid advances in digital technologies, intensified globalization, cutthroat economic race, and greater mobility leading to more diversity in the workplace. Hence, the role of education is even broader to equip the students with skills and competencies that will help them to flourish now and in the future. Educators, business leaders, academics, and governmental agencies unanimously agreed that all students need skills critical for lifelong learning and success. This paper intends to investigate the importance of teaching English Literature at the undergraduate level in an age when learning is driven by integrated and usable knowledge, skills, and competence-based curricula.