Literature

//“To truly know a language, you must know something of the literature of a language.”// Professor Collin MacCabe of the University of Exter School of English It has been stated that literature is intellectually stimulating because readers of the book will be able to imagine different worlds. This is important for ESL teachers to keep in mind when choosing literature. However, ESL teachers also need to keep in mind that there are three common approaches when implementing literature in the ESL classroom: 1. Cultural Model +Is it based on the notion that literature is the expression of: -Socio-cultural attitudes -Aspirations of individual societies -Mythic and universal values -Text is regarded as finished project -Associated with teacher-centered approach. 2. Language Model +Literature is taught for the promotion of: -Vocabulary -Structure -Language Manipulation -Puts students in touch with the subtle and varied creative use of language -Emphasizes language observation 3. Personal Growth Model +Concerned more with students: -Maturity as individuals -Progress as individuals through reading -Literature for life approach -Promotes individual evaluation and judgment -Learner-centered approach

*Also important to note that when working with literature and young children, they should be granted the opportunity to be able to read aloud each school day. Corrective feedback can be provided by the teacher to assist in not only their language learning but their interpretation of the book.

The approach I mostly identify literature with is the Literature Based Approach and the Learnig Experience Approach. The two activities that I have chosen to share were presented in one of my classes at Chicago State University. The websites were they were found is [|http://iteslj.org]. This website is very reliable because they gear to the teacher and students of the ESL community. They provide different readings and lesson plans to guide an ESL teacher in the classroom. The first activity:  **Peer/Pair Sharing:** Students are required to work as pairs. Each student reads their text silently. Then the students take turns reading the passage three times orally to the other student. The listening student acts as the teacher by giving suggestions and feedbacks.

The second activity**:** **Peer/Paired Reading**: 1. The teacher will provide appropriate books for the students to read. 2. The teacher will assign pre-selected books and pair different leveled readers to work together. 3. Each student will be asked to read their text silently. 4. The students will then take turns reading the passage twice orally to each other. 5. The first person will read while the second person listens. 6. The listening student acts as the teacher by giving suggestions and feedback. 7. The students will take turns throughout the activity.

*This activity helps ESL students with literature in the following manners: -fluency -vocabulary -pronunciation -motivation/self-esteem -comprehension

These are two activities that I do in my classroom and they truly do help the students that are struggling in reading. My Kindergarten students learn so much from each other and these are two activities that assist them in their reading and language learning.