TEFL II: Teaching Literature: Why? What? How?

Seminar for TEFL I

Interactive Model of reading (Thaler 2008)

Bottom-up Model:

• from part to whole

• letters → words → paragraphs → sentences → text

• focus on text and relies on sensory information

Top-down Model:

• from whole to part

• reader with expectations and schemata

• background knowledge

• focus on the reader

interactive Model:

• combination Bottom-up and Top-down processing

Challenges of teaching Literature: Reasons Why Students Dislike Reading Literature in School

Challenge 1: They are not interested in the texts

• let them make a reading list and choose the texts (text selection)

• ask about options

• relatable topics / relevant to their lives

• use different media (songs, movies, etc…)

• interactive (role-plays,etc..)

Challenge 2: Literary texts are too difficult

• break text down into smaller parts

• give a brief summary

• start with easier texts

Challenge 3: They think literature lessons are boring

• interactive tasks

• creative writings

• group projects (making a film f.ex)

• make reading an experience 8cinema, theatre)

• Connection with current events

• try teaching enthusiastically

Teaching literature → learner orientation

Text selection

task design

role of the teacher

class arrangement

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