The Inclusion of Literature Components in Malaysian English Papers: the Challenges and Pros in Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Abstract:The low proficiency attainment in English language among Malaysian learners has been given main attention in Malaysia Ministry of Education"s plan to further improve education. Part of the plan is by introducing literature components in the teaching and learning of English language curriculum. This has immediately changed the scenario of teaching and learning in English language classroom. This paper will review past studies related to the implementation of Literature component in English language by looking specifically at the teacher"s roles since teachers are the direct factor contributor in learners" process of learning and teaching. Apart of roles in the learning process, teachers" approaches employed in teaching literature component will be critically reviewed in this paper and suitable approaches available in teaching literature in English will be put forward.

English language teachers’ literacy competence in literature

“…By so doing, it is expected that the development of the students' character educational values can also be done through the school literacy program in particular by reading selected literary texts which are used in English learning materials in the classrooms. The teachers can utilize those literary texts within the teaching and learning processes because such literary texts can be used as appropriate media in advancing the students' character educational values (Omar, 2017).…”

“…Brumfit and Carter (1986) stated that improving the literary competency of foreign language learners could give a positive impact not only in developing the students' linguistic competence but also in supporting their character development. The insertion of literature in language learning is done not only to develop students' linguistic competence, but also to enhance the personal development of the students (Noah, 2017;Omar, 2017).…”

“…Literature has been incorporated in English language learning in several countries, such as in Malaysia. Literature has been integrated as the component in English language learning in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Malaysia since 2000 (Noah, 2017;Omar, 2017;Mohammed, 2018). This incorporation aims to enhance the students' proficiency in the English Language through literary texts.…”

“…This incorporation aims to enhance the students' proficiency in the English Language through literary texts. In consequence, it contributes to personal development, character building also widens the students' perspective through reading other cultures and worldview (Omar, 2017).…”

Upaya Peningkatan Pemahaman Guru Bahasa Inggris Sma Mengenai Model Pembelajaran Sastra Berbahasa Inggris

“…Persentase yang didapat pada hasil ini mungkin jauh lebih baik dibanding dengan jika angket disebar sebelum kegiatan pelatihan dilakukan. Jika ditilik dari rujukan yang ada, rendahnya minat guru dalam mengajarkan teks sastra karena (1) guru mengalami kesulitan memahami teks sastra karena faktor bahasa dan budaya (Rashid, Vethamani, & Rahman, 2010;Padurean, 2015;Tevdovska, 2016;Hassan, 2018), (2) guru merasa tidak percaya diri (Musthafa, 2015;Muthusamy, Salleh, Michael, Arumugam & Thayalan, 2017), (3) kurangnya pendidikan atau pelatihan mengenai pembelajaran sastra bagi guru (Omar, 2017;Musthafa, 2015; Delvi Wahyuni dan Witri Oktavia, 2018), (4) rendahnya kemampuan siswa dalam memahami teks sastra (Hwang & Embi, 2007;Rashid, Vethamani, & Rahman, 2010;Hassan, 2018), ( 5) guru kesulitan dalam mencari sumber rujukan untuk topik sastra berbahasa Inggris (Hwang & Embi, 2007;Rahmi, 2014;Muthusamy, Salleh, Michael, Arumugam & Thayalan, 2017;Delvi Wahyuni dan Witri Oktavia, 2018), dan (6) rendahnya minat siswa untuk mempelajari teks sastra berbahasa Inggris (Padurean, 2015;Alfauzan & Hussain, 2017). Dalam kaitannya dengan kegiatan yang sudah dilaksanakan, sebagian besar faktor-faktor ini disebut oleh Mitra sebagai alasan mengapa mereka memerlukan pelatihan mengenai model pembelajaran sastra berbahasa Inggris.…”