LITERATURE

WHAT IS LITERATURE?

It focuses on the reading and analysis of written materials. Literature allows students being critical. Thus, literature is really important for teaching and learning a foreign language and teachers use literary texts because they have a good context that is appropriated for students. Therefore, foreign professors work with this method, and they adapt it according to their syllabus and student’s level.

BENEFITS OF USING LITERARY TEXTS IN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Literature is suitable for students since it improves their language and communication skills. Moreover, if teachers are going to use literature, they have to select effective literary texts. Therefore, teachers engage students in the learning process. Each text selection depends on students' needs, their language, their experiences and also the group of students. Literature offers some benefits for students.

MOTIVATION

Literary texts provide contexts that catch students’ attention. It’s meaningful for them because they totally learn something new from other places. Students can be submerged with texts that they are using. Therefore, it creates a personal involvement where students share things in common with some characters. This can be useful in the learning process. Teachers increase the students’ interest working with cool texts.

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE

Literary texts contain a lot of information. Students who work with literature can have different opinions of the outside world. Also, literary books have cultural grammar through which students acquire another type of language since they can find new vocabulary, expressions or idioms. It enhances their communicative skills and students learn easier the foreign language.

LANGUAGE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Native speakers can write literary books and use their own experiences in real life. Students can develop the four skills through literary texts which are great because it aids to acquire the target language.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE

WHAT IS CONTENT-BASED INSTRUCTION (CBI)?

CBI is an approach that allows students acquire a foreign language through content. Content-Based Instruction is used for a second language teaching which employs relevant information for learners.

BENEFITS OF USING CONTENT-BASED INSTUCTION APPROACH

CBI is related to communicative language teaching because students take an active role during the classes. Likewise, this approach says that students learn a second language when they use it. And CBI reflects that people acquire the language when they face with problems or situations in a real context. Similarly CBI has some benefits for students.

BASE INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS ON CONTENT RATHER THAN LANGUAGE CRITERIA

It is clear teachers don’t create English books. The adaptations to teaching the second language are in charge of teachers. As a matter of fact, CBI enables the choice of content to hand down the selection of language items.

INTEGRATE SKILLS

This approach integrates the four skills in a real world. It means that any lesson can start with any skill or any linguistic property.

  

INVOLVE STUDENTS ACTIVELY IN ALL PHASES OF THE LEARNING PROCESS

A main characteristic of CBI is that it is learner-centered instead of teacher-centered. Students control their learning experience, and they don’t need teacher’s help. Students are active participants and they participate and create in the construction of knowledge. Peer feedback is important in this approach.

CHOOSE CONTENT FOR ITS RELEVANCE TO STUDENTS’ LIVES, INTERESTS, AND/OR ACADEMIC GOALS

Content is allied to students’ needs. For example, at university, the content that students learn is related with the other subjects that they study.

SELECT AUTHENTIC TEXTS AND TASKS

Originality is another important feature in CBI. Tasks and texts used in CBI are taken from the real world. The use of authentic material promotes the learning of a second language.

CONTENT-BASED INSTRUCTION (CBI)

CONCLUSION

Literature is an important factor for language learning. It motivates students to read in English. They learn different contexts which help them to increase their vocabulary knowledge and they develop their language skills. Also, CBI is used to acquire a second language based on content. Students learn the language when they face a real situation, and they put into practice everything learned. In addition, students become active participants in the class, and they create the knowledge. All of these items are important at the moment of learning a foreign language because students engage in the learning process and they acquire it easier.