Abstract
The interface between literature and language is a topic explored in this essay by looking at language as a tool of communication and literature as a tool to enrich language skills. Literature is concerned with artistic use of language to depict the socio- cultural, political and economic situations of human beings in the world they live. In higher education, literature in English is taught not only to equip learners with ethical values, critical thinking and analytical skills but also communication skills in English. In this paper, theories of using literature in language learning are reviewed with specific interest in English as an international language. The paper anchored on two of Lazar’s approaches such as language - based approach to using literature in language learning on the one hand, and literature as a tool for personal enrichment on the other hand. Discussion reveals that literature is an indispensable tool to enrich language knowledge and proficiency if well utilized. Teachers of Literature should consider that it is a means to enrich the acquirer’s language knowledge and proficiency
Highlights
The interface between literature and language has been an interesting topic for linguists and literary critics over the years, probably because one is an invaluable tool to another.Generally, language is a tool of communication of thoughts, feelings and emotions while literature is concerned with artistic use of language to depict the socio - cultural, political and economic situations of human beings in the world they live
Language is a tool of communication of thoughts, feelings and emotions while literature is concerned with artistic use of language to depict the socio - cultural, political and economic situations of human beings in the world they live
It is a means to enrich the acquirers’ knowledge and proficiency in English language since, in the view of Burke (2014), it is concerned with imitation of the work of others; and practice in writing; a strategy involving (i) knowledge, followed by (ii) analysis, followed by (iii) production and a series of creative writing, reading and speaking activities intended to enhance learners’ use of language and become proficient in it
Summary
The interface between literature and language has been an interesting topic for linguists and literary critics over the years, probably because one is an invaluable tool to another.Generally, language is a tool of communication of thoughts, feelings and emotions while literature is concerned with artistic use of language to depict the socio - cultural, political and economic situations of human beings in the world they live. In the 21st century, the teaching of literature intends to make a learner a critic and conversant with language. It is a means to enrich the acquirers’ knowledge and proficiency in English language since, in the view of Burke (2014), it is concerned with imitation of the work of others; and practice in writing; a strategy involving (i) knowledge, followed by (ii) analysis, followed by (iii) production and a series of creative writing, reading and speaking activities intended to enhance learners’ use of language and become proficient in it. According to Hemings et al (2016), the teaching of English [ as a second language], in schools, colleges and higher education is characterised by fostering students’ capacity for critical engagement with texts and for the appreciation of nuance and complexity in texts in a variety of contexts, including their historical contexts. Literature in English is doubtlessly a good ground to reach this end as Jurnam et al (2010) and Bahadur (2018) posit that literary texts are playing https://theshillonga.com/index.php/jhed significant roles and have become the most important source of valuable authentic materials of language teaching program
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