Method in the Madness: Teaching of English Literature in Japanese Universities

Authors

  • Zawiah Yahya Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Abstract

This paper explores the problematics of teaching English Literature in an EFL context. The analysis is based on class-observations and interviews with students and teachers in six Japanese universities over a period of nine months. The focus is on issues of English proficiency and literary competence, on choices made for medium, material and method, and on problem-solving measures taken to reduce the ‘foreignness’ of English literary texts. Among the measures looked at are the current use of the grammar-translation method and the inclusion of various support/introductory/survey courses built into the English Studies programme as an attempt to close the students’ proficiency-comprehension-knowledge gaps. Among the more contentious issues discussed are related to the wisdom of transplanting the canon of Western universities into non-English-speaking institutions, the appropriateness of imported teaching methodologies and the absence of local perspective input. Keywords:  English Literature in EFL; English Studies in Japan, teaching methodology; literary competence; Grammar Translation method, New Criticism

References

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Published

2015-09-22

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2015)

Section

Articles

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If the article is accepted for publication, copyright of this article will be vested to UKM Press, National University of Malaysia (UKM).


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