Literature in Language Teaching

Literature in Language Teaching is a proposal to use literature as a resource for English language teaching in Ugandan secondary schools. It originates from my experience as a student, teacher of English and Literature in Ugandan secondary schools, and as a teacher trainer. The study examines the historical and geographical background of Uganda, and the educational problems with emphasis on the teaching of English language. This includes: the educational system, language policy, profiles of English language teachers, the problems of teaching English language, literature on the school curriculum and in integrated English course books, and the problems of teaching literature. It gives the background of literature in education and its importance in ELT. It also discusses different approaches and methodologies of teaching literature as a subject and as a resource for English language teaching and provides useful criteria for selecting literary materials for the language classroom. The study further discusses opinions of secondary school students, teachers, and trainee teachers on using literature as a resource for English language teaching and their experiences.