THE ROLE OF LITERARY TEXTS IN INCREASING STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Abstract

The paper deals with positive aspects of the use of literature in foreign language teaching, in order to show that it can potentially increase students’ motivation to learn a foreign language. Emphasis is often put only on the analytical process of learning, disregarding the importance of cultivating emotions and students’ engagement. As a key component of positive psychology, positive emotions such as empathy, courage, optimism, and emotional intelligence traits help recognize strengths, overcome language barriers, and have a positive language learning experience. Literature can evoke emotional responses from students that can be invaluable and a key motivation factor for their engagement in foreign language class activities. For this purpose, the paper explores some characteristics of literature that are likely to cause an increase in the most widely researched psychological variable in language learning, which is motivation.