THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN THE CURRICULUM

Young children find it easier to assimilate new information when this information is presented within the structure of a story (Wells, 1986).

With the increasing popularity in technology in the forms of mp3 players, video games and the internet, it is become extremely difficult for young people to acquire a taste for reading literature. When given a choice between watching a movie or reading, the youth may most likely gravitate towards the movie.

Young persons often tend to associate the word ‘literature’ as an act for obtaining information. A college student defined literature as’ … anything someone writes for other people to read in the form of a text. There will be questions to answer after reading. Literature can be ancient (Shakespeare), informative or modern (Fitzgerald, Hemingway). Literature is just anything someone throws together to read.’  Whatever the misconceptions or views of literature may be, there is no doubt that literature plays a crucial role in schools’ curriculum.

One of the role it plays is to increase cultural awareness in students (Piper 1986 cited on eduplace. com). It is not logical for students to visit all the places they read about in literary works; it is through the literature they gain awareness of foreign cultures without having to leave their country. It is therefore pertinent that the information presented in the texts is as accurate as possible. In addition to broadening students’ perspectives on varied cultures, literature also serves to decrease negative stereotyping of these cultures. (Litchner and Johnson 1973 cited on eduplace. com).

Another role of literature is to improve students’ self concept. Literature which is similar to a student’s ethnic and cultural background helps that student develop a healthy concept of himself. (Hittleman 1978 cited in eduplace. com).

A third role of literature is to expose students to works they might not otherwise take their time to read. Life is a learning process; therefore what an author wrote a hundred years ago can teach and even inspire us in life. (Young and Fulwiler 1995).

Yet another role of literature is to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on characters’ actions in certain situations and deduce the lesson or theme that the writer is attempting to bring across to his audience.

Unfortunately, students at times are not given the opportunity to explore these roles of literature. Too often they are rushed through the literary works, as we teachers hurry to finish the syllabus.

In conclusion, novelist C.S. Lewis comments on the importance of literature. “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have become.

References

Young,A., & Fulwiler, T. (Eds).  (1995). When Writing Teachers Teach Literature. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook Publishers Inc.

Importance of literature. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html (9th April 2011)

The Role of Multi Cultural Literature.  Retrieved from  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html (9th April 2011)