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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 16. Number 1, March 2025 Pp.145-161
Department of Education, College of Arts and Humanities
A’ Sharqiyah University, Ibra, Sultanate of Oman
Occasionally, there has been doubt or uncertainty over the necessity or significance of incorporating literature into language instruction. This study reviews the role of literature in language instruction from the era of the Grammar Translation Method through the current era of Communicative Language Teaching. Additionally, it investigates how literary texts might be included in English EFL/ESL instruction. This study’s primary research question is: How does the use of literature affect EFL/ESL learners’ language learning, cultural awareness, and critical thinking abilities? The study’s main aim is to examine the pedagogical advantages and difficulties of utilizing literature as a tool to improve language competence and enhance educational experiences in EFL/ESL classes. This study is important because it gives teachers useful tips on how to use literature to make a more dynamic and contextually rich classroom. A systematic examination of literature and prior research on the subject was the research methodology employed in this study. According to preliminary research, literature fosters a better comprehension of cultural quirks, increases students’ engagement, and improves vocabulary learning. Literature also encourages students to consider other viewpoints by acting as a catalyst for conversation and critical thinking. Considering the findings, the research suggests that EFL/ESL teachers include a range of literary genres and subjects in their curricula. It also recommends adopting cooperative reading and discussion activities that let students engage with texts and with one another. It is recommended that more studies be done to examine the long-term effects of literature on language.
Hussein, B. A. E. (2025). Incorporating Literature into EFL/ESL Classroom. Arab World English Journal, 16(1):145-161
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Bashir Abuelnour ELbashir is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at A’ Sharqiyah University, Oman. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Sudan and a CELTA certificate from Cambridge University. His teaching and research interests include applied linguistics and ELT related topics. He employs innovative teaching strategies in his classroom to improve student engagement and understanding. His publications are limited to nine articles in peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to national conferences in the field of education. ORCID: http://orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4346-3721