A Process Approach to the Teaching of Literature in an EFL Context

The paper takes a process approach to exploring ways in which the study of literature in the foreign language classroom can be made into a significant experience for both learners and teacher. A rationale for the integration of cultural, linguistic, and personal growth models in teaching literature is developed with the avowed aim of facilitating learners’ engagement with, interpretation of, and response to the literary text. Complementary to that, coherent sets of classroom activities designed around the sample literary texts provide the practical component of the paper. Besides relevant practice in the four skills, these sets of activities offer opportunities for cultural awareness, interpersonal and intercultural learning. The target group for the “materials development” side of the paper consists of university students who study (American) Literature in EFL contexts. Their specific linguistic and cultural background as well as their needs and interests are systematically addressed in an attempt to boost their motivation and elicit well-informed, highly personal and confident reactions to the literary text