While reading Alsup and Bush’s text, “But will it work with real students?” I was startled to come across the charge that we, as English teachers, need to consider “why [we] think literature should be taught” (2). My initial reaction was a dumbfounded, “well, isn’t it obvious!?” Reading and studying literature helps students learn to read more fluently, creates an environment in which important cultural and social discussions may take place in regards to classic and modern texts, helps students relate and respond to texts as readers and learn to make meaning as they learn to think critically, etc. etc. Not to mention the sheer enjoyment that comes with reading and studying good stories that teach us about ourselves and the world around us! As I continued to chew on Alsup and Bush’s question, I began to realize how important it is to develop a concise philosophy on why it is that we teach literature. Knowing the answer to that question empowers us as teachers to defend the importance of what we do and justify all the time we spend trying to teach our students to love and value literature as much as we do. Thus, I’d love to hear your reasons as to “why YOU think literature should be taught” (2). My top reason: Literature provides opportunities to make meaning in (and learn to analyze) texts as well as helping us find new meanings and understandings of our culture and worlds throught the stories we study. Please share your reasons! :)
Why do we teach literature?
October 23rd, 2006 · 1 Comment
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1 Ellen // Oct 24, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Sadly, I think you are right that as teachers we must be able to defend the field of English when it comes under attack by students. I know that it is not uncommon for me to hear “Why do we need to know this?” in the classroom. While I try not to answer with the standard “because it will be on your test” response, sometimes it’s hard to defend the entire study of the English language at a moment’s notice.
My top reason for why literature should be taught: Literature exposes readers to new people, situations, and ideas that we might never encounter otherwise. In this way, literatures enables students to put themselves in another’s position, and learn to become more open-minded individuals.