Poetry for EFL: Exploring Change in Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.vi33.26657Keywords:
poetry for EFL, student beliefs, motivation, intercultural dimension, linguistic competenceAbstract
This study explores undergraduate students’ beliefs concerning the potential of poetry as a resource for EFL before and after the administration of a lesson plan based on a poem. To this end, 132 students were surveyed to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data on the linguistic, motivational and intercultural benefits which literature has been said to contribute to EFL. The results show that, in the pretest, students believe poetry-based English lessons to be more useful for developing linguistic knowledge than for intercultural or motivational gains. In the post-test, however, students assign significantly more importance to the motivational and intercultural components. This change seems to highlight the overly instrumental nature of the instruction students received during their schooling in EFL.
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References
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Bobkina, J. & Domínguez, E. (2014). The use of literature and literary texts in the EFL classroom; between consensus and controversy. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 3(2), 248-260.
Bloemert, J., Paran, A., Jansen, E. & van de Grift, W. (2019). Students’ perspective on the benefits of EFL literature education. The Language Learning Journal, 47(3), 371-384.
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Çetinavcı, U.R. & Tütüniş, B. (2012). Making use of poems to teach English. The Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 75-88.
Crookes, G. (2013). Critical ELT in action: Foundations, promises, praxis. Routledge.
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Ghazali, S.N., Setia, R., Muthusamy, C. and Jusoff, K. (2009). ESL students’ attitude towards texts and teaching methods used in literature classes. English Language Teaching, 2(4), 51-56.
Hall, G. (2015). Literature in language education. Palgrave.
Hanauer, D.I. (2010). Poetry as Research: Exploring second language poetry writing. John Benjamins.
Hanauer, D.I. (2015). Measuring voice in poetry written by second language learners. Written Communication, 32(1), 66-86.
Harlow, L.L. & Musykens, J. A. (1994). Priorities for intermediate-level language instruction. The Modern Language Journal, 78(2), 141-154.
Hirvela, A. & Boyle, J. (1988). Literature courses and student attitudes. ELT Journal, 42(3), 179-184.
Khatib, M. (2011). A new approach to teaching English poetry to EFL students. Journal of Language Teaching & Research, 2(1), 164-169.
Kramsch, C. (2013). Culture in foreign language teaching. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 1(1), 57-78.
Lamie, J.M. (2004). Presenting a model of change. Language Teaching Research, 8(2), 15-142.
Lazar, G. (2009). Literature and language teaching: A guide for teachers and trainers. Cambridge: CUP.
Duff, A. & Maley, A. (2007). Literature. Oxford University Press.
McKay, S.L. (2014). Literature as content for ESL/EFL. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.) Teaching English as second or foreign language (pp. 319-332). Heinle & Heinle.
Martin, I. (2000). Theoretical, practical and didactic reasons for using contemporary British poetry in the ELT classroom. IATEFL Literature and Cultural Studies, 19, 3-15.
Martin, A.L. & Laurie, I. (1993). Student views about the contribution of literary and cultural content to language learning at intermediate level. Foreign Language Annals, 26(2), 188-207.
Paran, A. (2008). The role of literature in instructed foreign language learning and teaching: An evidence-based survey. Language Teaching, 41(4), 465-496.
Scott, V.M. & Huntington, J.A. (2007). Literature, the interpretive mode, and novice learners. The Modern Language Journal, 91(1), 3-14.
Skela, J. (2014). The quest for literature in EFL textbooks-A quest for Camelot? ELOPE, 11(1), 113-136.
Stefanova, S., Bobkina, J. & Sánchez-Verdejo Pérez, F.J. (2017). The effectiveness of teaching critical thinking skills through literature in EFL context: A case study in Spain. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 6(6), 252-266.
Teranishi, M., Saito, Y. & Wales, K. (Eds.) (2015). Literature and language learning in the EFL classroom. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Vural, H. (2013). Use of literature to enhance motivation in ELT classes. Mevlana International Journal of Education, 3(4), 15-23.
Waugh, L. (2016). “Why I stayed”. In M. Hassard, G. Langley & S. Nigliazzo (eds.) Red Sky. Poetry on the global epidemic of violence against women (p. 68). Greensboro, NC: Sable Books.
Weist, V. D. (2004). Literature in lower-level courses: making progress in both language and reading skills. Foreign Language Annals, 37(2), 209-221.
Xerri, D. & Xerri Agius, S. (2015). Galvanizing empathy through poetry. English Journal, 104(4), 71-76.
Yeh, A. (2005). Poetry from the heart. English Today, 21(1), 45-51.
Baba, W.K. (2008). An investigation into teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards literature and its use in ESL classrooms: A case study at a matriculation centre in Malaysia. (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Bobkina, J. & Domínguez, E. (2014). The use of literature and literary texts in the EFL classroom; between consensus and controversy. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 3(2), 248-260.
Bloemert, J., Paran, A., Jansen, E. & van de Grift, W. (2019). Students’ perspective on the benefits of EFL literature education. The Language Learning Journal, 47(3), 371-384.
Bogdan, R.C. & S.K. Biklen. (2003). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Allyn & Bacon.
Butler, I. (2006). Integrating language and literature in English Studies: A case study of the English 100 course at the university of North West. (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). University of South Africa, South Africa.
Byram, M. (2008). From foreign language education to education for intercultural citizenship. Essays and reflections. Multilingual Matters.
Carroli, P. (2008). Literature in second language education: Enhancing the role of texts in learning. Continuum.
Carter, R. (2007). Literature and language teaching 1986-2006: A review. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 17(1), 3-13.
Çetinavcı, U.R. & Tütüniş, B. (2012). Making use of poems to teach English. The Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 75-88.
Crookes, G. (2013). Critical ELT in action: Foundations, promises, praxis. Routledge.
Duncan, S. & Paran, A. (2017). The effectiveness of literature on acquisition of language skills and intercultural understanding in the high school context. London: Institute of Education. UCL.
Ghazali, S.N., Setia, R., Muthusamy, C. and Jusoff, K. (2009). ESL students’ attitude towards texts and teaching methods used in literature classes. English Language Teaching, 2(4), 51-56.
Hall, G. (2015). Literature in language education. Palgrave.
Hanauer, D.I. (2010). Poetry as Research: Exploring second language poetry writing. John Benjamins.
Hanauer, D.I. (2015). Measuring voice in poetry written by second language learners. Written Communication, 32(1), 66-86.
Harlow, L.L. & Musykens, J. A. (1994). Priorities for intermediate-level language instruction. The Modern Language Journal, 78(2), 141-154.
Hirvela, A. & Boyle, J. (1988). Literature courses and student attitudes. ELT Journal, 42(3), 179-184.
Khatib, M. (2011). A new approach to teaching English poetry to EFL students. Journal of Language Teaching & Research, 2(1), 164-169.
Kramsch, C. (2013). Culture in foreign language teaching. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 1(1), 57-78.
Lamie, J.M. (2004). Presenting a model of change. Language Teaching Research, 8(2), 15-142.
Lazar, G. (2009). Literature and language teaching: A guide for teachers and trainers. Cambridge: CUP.
Duff, A. & Maley, A. (2007). Literature. Oxford University Press.
McKay, S.L. (2014). Literature as content for ESL/EFL. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.) Teaching English as second or foreign language (pp. 319-332). Heinle & Heinle.
Martin, I. (2000). Theoretical, practical and didactic reasons for using contemporary British poetry in the ELT classroom. IATEFL Literature and Cultural Studies, 19, 3-15.
Martin, A.L. & Laurie, I. (1993). Student views about the contribution of literary and cultural content to language learning at intermediate level. Foreign Language Annals, 26(2), 188-207.
Paran, A. (2008). The role of literature in instructed foreign language learning and teaching: An evidence-based survey. Language Teaching, 41(4), 465-496.
Scott, V.M. & Huntington, J.A. (2007). Literature, the interpretive mode, and novice learners. The Modern Language Journal, 91(1), 3-14.
Skela, J. (2014). The quest for literature in EFL textbooks-A quest for Camelot? ELOPE, 11(1), 113-136.
Stefanova, S., Bobkina, J. & Sánchez-Verdejo Pérez, F.J. (2017). The effectiveness of teaching critical thinking skills through literature in EFL context: A case study in Spain. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 6(6), 252-266.
Teranishi, M., Saito, Y. & Wales, K. (Eds.) (2015). Literature and language learning in the EFL classroom. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Vural, H. (2013). Use of literature to enhance motivation in ELT classes. Mevlana International Journal of Education, 3(4), 15-23.
Waugh, L. (2016). “Why I stayed”. In M. Hassard, G. Langley & S. Nigliazzo (eds.) Red Sky. Poetry on the global epidemic of violence against women (p. 68). Greensboro, NC: Sable Books.
Weist, V. D. (2004). Literature in lower-level courses: making progress in both language and reading skills. Foreign Language Annals, 37(2), 209-221.
Xerri, D. & Xerri Agius, S. (2015). Galvanizing empathy through poetry. English Journal, 104(4), 71-76.
Yeh, A. (2005). Poetry from the heart. English Today, 21(1), 45-51.
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Published
2020-01-31
How to Cite
Férez Mora, P. A. ., & Coyle, Y. . (2020). Poetry for EFL: Exploring Change in Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions. Porta Linguarum An International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, (33), 231–247. https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.vi33.26657
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