Could Questions Be Answers? The Personal Growth Method in the Teaching of English Literature to EFL Learners

Abstract

Since educators have puzzled over the best models suggested on the teaching of English literature to EFL learners, re-examining strategies of literature instruction becomes a necessity in this rapidly changing world. This requires developing a multi-faceted model, which neither focuses on language skills only nor does it use texts as capsules for a culture that students perceive as inferior or at best irrelevant,. This paper explores the personal growth model in an attempt to bridge the gap between the cultural model that treats the text as a source of information about the target culture and the language model that focuses on the way language is used. The personal growth model is a process-based approach and tries to be more learner-centered. This paper suggests that this model not only encourages learners to develop positive attitudes towards the text they read, but it also leads them to project their own feelings into it. Based upon the researcher's teaching experience, this model encourages the students to make the text their own and it helps in making the language more memorable. Finally, the paper presents some recommendations for EFL learners regarding the use of the personal growth approach in our classes.