Implications For English Education Methods Courses: How To Prepare PTs To Teach Literature

All of this suggests the need for English education methods courses to address a range of issues associated with teaching literature. In these methods courses, students need ample opportunities to experience different ways of responding to literature through talk, writing, drama, art work, and media productions, experiences that serve to model uses of response tools so that PTs perceive the value of using these tools. We also believe that literature should play a larger role in all teacher education courses as a way of knowing and reflecting that would assist PTs in their growing understanding of teaching, schools, adolescents, etc.

Unfortunately, one general English methods course that includes teaching of literature, composition, language, speech, drama, and media, may not allow for enough time to engage in these experiences. Moreover, courses in young adult literature may not deal with methods for teaching literature.

The following are some key topics and issues we believe should be included in methods courses. We also include some suggestions for activities and strategies for addressing these topics and issues.

Defining literature

Reader response and literacy critical theories

Literature curriculum design

Analyzing uses of literary language

Critiquing portrayals of race, class, gender, and sexuality in literature

Uses of narrative production and reflection

Book selection, reading interests, and individualized reading programs

Addressing issues of difficulties in reading literature

Knowledge of young adult literature

Discussing literature

Writing about and of literature

Drama activities

Teaching world literature

Integrating media, art, and popular culture with literature instruction

Evaluation and assessment of literature learning

Coping with censorship