The paper titled "Probing the Approaches to Teaching Literature to EFL Students - Graduate Learners’ Perspective" focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various teaching approaches in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) literature classrooms. The primary research question revolves around understanding which teaching methods are most beneficial from the learners' perspective.
The purpose of this study is to explore graduate students' opinions on different teaching approaches in literature courses and to identify the most effective methods for enhancing language acquisition and critical thinking in an EFL setting. The study is conducted within the scope of graduate-level literature courses at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, involving participants who have completed at least three literature courses.
The researchers employed a deductive qualitative methodology, gathering data through structured interviews with ten female graduates from the College of Languages and Translation. The participants provided insights into their experiences with five teaching approaches: Teacher-centered, Stylistic, Learner-centered, Paraphrastic, and Culture-based approaches. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify trends and preferences among the learners.
The key findings indicate that while all approaches have specific benefits, the Learner-centered approach is perceived as the most effective, offering comprehensive learning advantages including language improvement, motivation, and critical thinking development. The study also reveals that students appreciate a combination of different teaching methods tailored to course objectives, suggesting that an eclectic approach might yield the best educational outcomes.
The study concludes by emphasizing the need for literature teachers to be adaptable and creative in their teaching strategies. It recommends integrating various approaches to maximize student engagement and learning. The researchers suggest that future studies should further explore the integration of technology in literature teaching to enhance its relevance and effectiveness in contemporary EFL classrooms.