USHA [http://busyteacher.org/6504-strategies-teaching-literature-esl-classroom.html]

I feel that the strategies in the website listed are the simplest but the most taken for granted. Hence, I think it might be a good idea to always re-look and remember these strategies.

Start Small

The writer encourages teachers to start small and especially to start where the students are. Two points that especially struck me was firstly, that even to the least engaged student in out class there will be something that will definitely interest him. Its about finding that something and trying to move the students from that platform. Secondly, the writer says that starting small may seem like we are not able to achieve results. However, by allowing the students to start small, instead of throwing them into ‘mature’ books, we would eventually make greater progress as they gain confidence.

Review the necessary vocabulary

Given that literature is something new to them, the writer encourages teaches to review the important vocabulary and to give examples of each. This would ensure that even students who cannot engage in a discussion because of the lack of vocabulary. Hence, by reviewing the necessary vocabulary, it would create a less threatening environment for the students.

Cultivate Controversy

In this article, the writer suggested getting the students to talk about the issue of books being banned. He encourages the teacher to engage in a discussion of why books are being banned and if the class thinks it is a good or proper thing to do. However, I would not like to extract the idea of cultivating controversy and not just limit it to the topic of banning books. Literature is in itself a subject where students can agree to disagree. As teachers, I believe, we should use it to our advantage and attempt the students to engage in discussions with one another. Hence, cultivating (the climate of) controversy.

http://busyteacher.org/6504-strategies-teaching-literature-esl-classroom.html