Sharing Literature/EFL
Contents
Literature & English
Content-based Instruction
Content-Based Instruction (CBI) is an instructional technique whereby teachers use subject matter other than grammar or language-based instruction to teach language skills (Shang, 2006). Many teachers of English in Israel and in other countries are integrating literature into the English as a foreign Language (EFL) classroom successfully. Some teachers prefer teaching literature-based content to teaching grammar or unseen passages because the content is more interesting and motivating. In fact, talking, discussing, and reflecting on literature artifacts engages both the teacher and the student in higher order thinking skills.
Literature
Using literature for content is an excellent way for EFL students to enrich their vocabulary and improve their language skills (Aguero, n.d.).
Techniques
Students are encouraged to read books in the classroom and at home. One technique of facilitating the process is for students to listen to the teacher read the books, record the text so it can be accessed electronically, locate videos or podcasts, or purchase audio books. In addition, students can read the texts to each other in class in small groups or in pairs. The main idea is for the poems and short stories to be read out loud in class. Teachers may wish to have students read and record their voices at home using electronic resources such as [http:www.snapvine.com Snapvine], Audacity, and Podomatic. In addition, students can record their voices over images and create videos using powerpoints that can be added to Youtube via Authorstream.
Poll
Please join the following Doodle Poll on whether you want to teach literature or not.
References
- Aguero, D. A. (n.d.). Using literature in EFL classes for teachers. Retrieved January 2, 2009, from http://www.cce.ufsc.br/~clafpl/1_Dolores_Aronovich_Aguero.pdf
- Shang, H. (2006, November). Content-based instruction in he EFL literature curriculum. The Internet TESL Journal, 8(2), 1-5. Retrieved December 14, 2008, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Shang-CBI.html
