Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Vol.6. No.3 September  2015                                           Pp.244 – 260
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no3.16

 Abstract PDF

 Full Paper PDF

An Exploration of Freshman Students’ Attitude towards English Literature

Raghad Dwaik
English Department, Hebron University, Palestine

Salah Shrouf
English Department, Hebron University, Palestine

Bassem Sahib
English Department, Hebron University, Palestine

 

 

Abstract:
Attitude has been considered by most researchers as an important variable that influences success in a learning task.  Hence, analysing students’ attitude is an important step that should precede making any changes in the course plan or content.   This gains more importance when dealing with college students who have already finished school and look up to college to provide them with more interesting and varied content that addresses their needs.  This study explores the attitude of Freshman students who plan to specialize in English towards English literature in general, its value in language learning and the utility of different literary genres. Analysis of these students attitude is essential for making decisions with regard to the kind of preparation they should get prior to embarking on the study of literary courses in their sophomore year.   A five Likert scale questionnaire was used to analyze the different aspects of the students’  attitude.  Results showed that students have a positive attitude towards literature in general and fiction in particular.  They believe that literary texts enhance their reading and writing skills and that they are a great source of learning about the target culture.  Their attitude, however, is less favorable towards poetry and drama and towards the role of literature in enhancing their listening or speaking skills.   Overall, they thought that certain literary genres are enjoyable and beneficial for language learning, yet they are not a core component of the language learning process.
Keywords: attitude towards literature, college students’ attitude, language and literature, literature in the classroom, Palestinian students’ attitude 

Cite as:  Dwaik, R. Shrouf, S., & Sahib, B. (2015). An Exploration of Freshman Students’ Attitude towards English Literature. Arab World English Journal, 8 (3). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no3.16

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Reddit
Email
StumbleUpon
Digg
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol6no3.16

Dr. Raghad Dwaik: Chair of the English Department at Hebron University. PhD in TESOL.
Published a number of articles in areas related to language acquisition and learning as well as the
role of literature in the language classroom.