The Role of Literature Teaching in Improving Students' Language Skills

Abstract

Students' views on language learning are an important foundation in formulating language learning plans and processes. This study aims to look at students' views about the benefits of learning literature in language learning at the high school level. This study also seeks to reveal differences in the views of students from several schools. Researchers use a comprehensive approach to analyse students' views about the benefits of learning literature in learning. Researchers used a survey research method involving an open-ended questionnaire to see students' views on the benefits of learning literature in language learning. The research participants were 555 high school level students from fifteen schools. The research findings show that most students provide a positive view, that is, learning literature in learning Indonesian really supports the linguistic aspects of language learning. Generally, students' views of the benefits of literature are based on the teaching approach used sequentially from the largest to the smallest percentage, namely the language approach, the context approach, followed by the reader's approach and the text approach. The most proportionate combination of approaches is the language approach with context. Some differences from the research sample regarding the benefits of learning in aspects of supporting language skills are caused by differences in the style of approach or pedagogies used by teachers. The results implied that teachers can see and consider students' perspectives or views regarding the benefits of learning literature which are then used to support language learning.