Amalia Wulansari Citra Andari 121211233058

Academic Writing (F)

Summary of Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies: Teaching English through

Literature (Murat Hismanoglu; Vol.1, No.1, April 2005)
Using literature as popular technique has an important play for teaching both basic
language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and language areas
(vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation). But, there are some obstacles that happen
from teachers. First, the teachers lack of preparation in the area of literature teaching in
TESL/TEFL. Second, the teachers do not have clear-cut objectives defining the role of
literature teaching in TESL/TEFL. Third, the teachers lack of pedagogically-designed
appropriate materials.
Reasons the use of literature in foreign language classes are valuable authentic
material, cultural enrichment, language enrichment and personal involvement. Also,
universality, non-triviality, personal relevance, variety, interest, economy and suggestion
power and ambiguity are the reasons the use of literature in foreign language classes
(Maley, 1989:12).
Selecting the literary texts that will be used in foreign language class is an important
thing for the teacher before start the class. In this moment, the teachers need to pay
attention of the needs, motivation, cultural background and language level of the
students. Besides, the enjoyment, thoughts, feelings and emotions are needed to
known by the teachers. To find out all of those things, the teachers need to arouse the
personal involvement of the students to know the interest and positive reaction from
them toward the literary texts.
Literature has an important play in basic language skills (reading, writing, listening and
speaking). In reading, the teachers give the students to read a literary text to identify the
contents of the text from the begin level until evaluative level. It is make the students to
think more critical. In writing, the students need to write a literary text and make it as a
model and as subject matter. Literary text as model means that the students write are
almost similar with the contents, theme and style of a literary text. Meanwhile, literary
text as subject matter means that the students write an inference with their own ideas of

a literary text. So, the students can learn how to think critically, creatively and freely. In
speaking, the students need to read a literary text aloud to know their ability in speak
English. Thus, the teachers can help them to developed their ability in speak English. At
this moment, the teachers also be able correct the students pronunciation. Besides,
group activities help the students to discussed and convey their own ideas to their
friends. Unconsciously or consciously, the students try to listen what the other students
said and replay it that appropriate with the students said. It is help the students to
develop their ability in listening English.
Poetry, short stories, drama and novel are included in literary text. Those are help the
students improve their ability to improve the basic language skills better than before.
Poetry helps the student become familiar with the suprasegmental aspects. Short
stories help the students to develop the cognitive analytical abilities. Drama contributes
to increase the students awareness and their comprehension of verbal/nonverbal
aspects of language and culture that presented in the drama. Novel helps the students
to increase the vocabulary and reading comprehension skills though the language of
novel is difficult, boring ad unmotivating. Through these literary texts, the students are
helped to developed and increase their ability in basic language skills and language
areas better than before.
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