The Use of Literature to Enhance English Language Competence

 

Gideon Wibawa

 

There have been ever-growing arguments and attempts at finding a pedagogical basis for English language teaching (ELT) and learning, especially in the Indonesian context. ELT practice in Indonesia needs to be viewed and reviewed more realistically as well as pedagogically. One should take into consideration its various linguistic and cultural aspects, such as tenses, plurality, threat of losing face and the rigid teacher-centredness in any classroom. For those reasons and due to the pressure of globalization, teachers and students alike are called upon to “boldly go where no one has gone before”, quoting the opening scene of the Star Trek series. Theirs is the task to forge global links of mutual friendship, respect, and cooperation by the use of literature rather than by the study of literature. In this chapter, it is argued that the use of literature can enhance the students’ reading habit, improve their language competence and, more particularly, prevent them from imitating terminologies from various sources without any clear understanding. Furthermore, teachers and students are encouraged to become more resourceful by allowing them to express their ideas, intuitions and findings in order to contribute to a much wider view of the plurality and life around us.

 

 

------- ---- --------

 

 

Wibawa, G. (2004). The use of literature to enhance English language competence. In B. Y. Cahyono & U. Widiati (Eds.), The tapestry of English language teaching and learning in Indonesia (pp. 327-335). Malang: State University of Malang Press.

 

Website: www.geocities.com/eltindonesia

Email: eltindonesia@yahoo.com