You may want to look at Krashen's work on Extensive Reading.
Daphne

Daphne Greenberg
Assistant Professor
Educational Psych. & Special Ed.
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3979
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3979
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu

Daphne Greenberg
Associate Director
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3977
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3977
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu


>>> <ginabina2u at verizon.net> 12/9/2006 10:21 AM >>>

Since I'm new to this discussion board, I'll first introduce myself:
I'm a graduate student in the TESOL program at UMCP, with the goal of
teaching English to adult immigrants.  I'm very interested in using
literature (poetry, novellas, plays, folktales, myths, novels...) in
teaching adult ELLs.  And, I'm currently writing a paper on the topic.

I have several "burning" questions for anyone who's had experience with
this approach, and would greatly appreciate any insights you might
have.

Here's some background: I'm interested in using literature
aesthetically (rather than efferently) in teaching ESL adults.  In other
words, I want to share my passion for literature with my students -- to
engage them in the literary process (interacting with the literature,
and thinking about how it applies to their own life experiences) -- not
use it merely to teach grammar.  It's important to me that literature be
used appropriately in the classroom... the way the authors intended it
to be used.  I'm also very interested in how culture plays a (huge) role
in literature... and how a teacher can take advantage of this and use
literature to not only teach English, but also to promote cultural
awareness (of different cultures, as well as those of the students) and
sensitivity in the classroom.

As part of my research paper, I'm required to interview a teacher who
has (or has had) experience with teaching literature to adult ESL
students.  You may have taught literature aesthetically or efferently,
or both.  That's fine.  I'd like to hear about your experiences.  Below
are my questions:

1) What has worked for you in using literature to teach ESL adults? 
What hasn't?  Why?

2) Have you had any difficulty motivating and engaging adults in
learning English through literature?

3) Is a certain level of English language proficiency necessary before
using literature in the adult classroom?  Is it possible to use
literature with low level students?  

4) If you've used literature with low level adult students, what has
worked and what hasn't?

5) Do you have any literature lesson plan ideas for adults (at any
level) that have especially worked for you?

6) In your opinion, are there any circumstances in which using
literature for ESL adults isn't recommended?

7) How would you respond to the criticism that teaching literature is
impractical for adults?  (Common gripes: "ESL adults need to learn
English to survive... literature is 'fluff' and useless...   adults are
too busy to sit around and discuss literature... in the time they *do*
have, they should be learning practical English.")

A lot of questions, I know.  If you haven't the time to answer all of
them, I'm *most* interested in questions 2, 5, 6, and 7.  

I look forward to reading your comments!

Thanks so much,

Gina Verbrugge
Graduate Student
University of Maryland, College Park
ginabina2u at verizon.net 


 
     
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