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Minimizing ESL Students' "Fear" of Literature in English
Ada J. Loredo,
Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
Most ESL teachers agree that Literature is a valuable resource in English
Language Teaching. A common problem among ESL students, however,
is a "fear" of participating in literature class activities, brought about
by a low level of English language competence. In the Philippines, for
example, some ESL teachers are forced to do Teacher-Talk during literature
discussions because students hesitate to voice their thoughts and feelings
on literary texts. Since they are 'mere' students, as well as 'mere' learners
of English (not native speakers), they feel inadequate to comment on or
criticize a literary work usually written by an 'expert' in the English
language. They are also intimidated by "expert literary opinion' on such
texts.
This paper will suggest some ways of overcoming this particular attitude
among students. Specifically, it will suggest the application of Reader-response
criticism in the ESL classroom. Actual classroom experience will be used
to illustrate the value of this reading strategy. |
