Enhancing EFL Learning Through Authentic Literary Texts: An Experimental Study in Turkish High Schools

Authors : Gülay ŞAHİN, Semra SARAÇOĞLU

Pages : 366-387

Doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14217197

View : 60 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2024-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The integration of literature as authentic material in EFL/ESL classes has become increasingly important and is now considered an integral component of language curricula worldwide. However, literature has often been neglected in Turkish EFL/ESL classrooms. This study aims to address this gap by enhancing Turkish High School English courses through the inclusion of authentic literary texts. The study seeks to explore whether this integration leads to significant differences in students’ attitudes towards English as a foreign/second language. During the Fall Semester of the 2016-2017 academic year, these lesson plans were implemented with 33 randomly selected 9th-grade students at Istanbul Nevzat Ayaz Anatolian High School, forming the experimental group. The control group comprised 28 randomly selected 9th-grade students who received instruction using traditional materials and coursebooks. Data was collected through Abidin -Alzwari’s (2012) English Language Attitude questionnaire, and pre-test and post-test results of both groups were compared using the SPSS program. The findings indicated that, unlike traditional materials, the use of literary texts was more effective and beneficial in changing learners` attitudes towards language learning, particularly in the emotional aspect. It is recommended that authorities responsible for writing and publishing English coursebooks consider integrating authentic literary texts into the core material of Turkish High School English coursebooks.
Keywords : Teaching Literature, Authentic Material, Efl/Esl Learners’ Attitudes, English Coursebook.

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