Approaches in the Teaching of Literature in English in Senior Secondary Schools in Ikwuano L.g.a of Abia State.
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the challenges of teaching literature in English in secondary school of Ikwauano LGA
- To find out the method of teaching literature in English in secondary school
- To ascertain the factors Militating Against the Study of Literature
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Rationale for Teaching and Studying Literature
The value of literature is so enormous that its mention can never be over flogged. For instance literature;
– Gets one acquainted with the world’s great minds, personalities and great teachers of all ages.
– Aims at helping one understand oneself as well as others.
– Provides opportunity for development of sensory, affective, social, intellectual and religious senses or faculties.
– Provides vicarious experiences to those exposed to it
– Trains the mind and equips the child for independent work and unbiased judgment i.e in analysis and criticism.
– Helps one operate one’s rationale facilities. It in fact exposes one to healthy human values and attitudes, character and behavior and to understand the complex nature of human being (Rees 1973).
– Helps one in analysis, interpreting and dealing with the world of reality.
– Helps in the acquisition and reinforcement of the language skills (Gbenedio 1984).
– Imposes a kind of high discipline on those who are exposed to it.
– Broadens the cultural needs and horizon of the child.
– Exposes the child to the beauty and potentials of language (i.e the aesthetic value of literature).
– Encourages attempts at creative writing which stems from understanding a creative processes as well as appreciating the principal of creativity (Lawal 1985).
In fact, the nature of literature makes it so sterile that Moody (1973) says, it offers a vast reservoir of human experience and judgment of experience, a development of imagination, an entry into human situations which otherwise might fall outside our ken. These imply that even though other subjects contribute to the making of the whole man, literature has a unique effectiveness in opening the mind and illuminating it; also of purging the mind of prejudices and received ideas and leaves it free and active. In summary literature by its nature moulds the personality of a child more effectively than other subjects
Factors Militating Against the Study of Literature
As captured vividly above, literature is a functional, valuable school subject that has the capacity of molding an all round personality that is socially acceptable not deviants and outlaws. Below are some of the reasons students do not study literature these days.
a. Laziness The factor of laziness although sounds childish, is the fundamental reason why students do not study literature anymore. The teachers on one part do not show sufficient interest in reading the recommended texts in the class. Any teacher who wants his students to read must be seen reading.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought approaches in the teaching of literature in English in Senior secondary schools in ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
Question 1
Gender distribution of the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Approaches in the teaching of literature in English in Senior secondary schools in ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of approaches in the teaching of literature in English in Senior secondary school.
Summary
This study was on Approaches in the teaching of literature in English in Senior secondary schools in ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the challenges of teaching literature in English in secondary school of Ikwauano LGA, to find out the method of teaching literature in English in secondary school and to ascertain the factors Militating Against the Study of Literature. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Ikunano. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, administrative staff, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Given the numerous goals the study of literature is set to achieve in the students, teachers ought not to dampen the interest of the students by employing approaches and methods that are not challenging to the students. Also in selecting a text from the list, the teacher, as much as it depends on him, should consider all the readability qualities of a text as well as the interest of the learners
Recommendation
This implies that teachers should teach literature using appropriate literary terms and ensure that students could identify them in their subsequent reading activities. Some techniques as audiovisuals i.e. music, films, slide sets be employed in the teaching of literature. Authors however should endeavour to provide clear explanations and illustrations of obscure or archaic words and expressions, unfamiliar and difficult words as well as allusions contained in their texts. Finally, given the good approaches and methods, other problems in the teaching and studying of literature are bound to thin into insignificance.
References
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- Lawal, R.A (1985) Organizing and Extensive Reading Programme in the Nigeria Junior Secondary Schools: Problems and Recommendations. Being a paper presented at the 2 nd Biennial Conference of RAN, Sept, 1985 at University of Ibadan.
- Moody, H.L.B. (1973:465-474) “Literary Studies in Nigeria: The potentiality Gap” in West African Journal of Education Vol. xviii No. 31.
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