Looking at the Shared Conception of Teaching Literature in an Indonesian ELT Setting

• Published in: Journal of language teaching and research Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 316 - 327
• Main Authors: Sunardi, Sunardi, Akil, Mansur, Arafah, Burhanuddin, Salija, Kisman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Academy Publication Co., Ltd 01.03.2018
• Subjects: English as a second language instruction; English as a second language teaching methods; English literature; Literacy; Literature education; Teacher education; Teaching; Indonesia
• ISSN: 1798-4769; 2053-0684
• DOI: 10.17507/jltr.0902.13

This paper uses the Interpretative Phenomenological Method to examine the conceptions that English literature teachers (ELITES) share about literature courses and teaching. The study investigated the experiences of four ELITES who taught literature classes at English education base faculties in three universities in Indonesia. These teachers were interviewed and observed in relation to their subject-matter knowledge in literature, their methods of teaching, their roles and the extent of their students’ learning. The findings suggest two main themes: (1) ELITES view literature courses as one of the means of learning a language rather than as a "study" in its own right, together with holding a teacher-centered approach; and (2) ELITES’ experienced relational conflicts with their students because of the students’ perceived deficiencies in understanding literature, their lack of interest in reading and discussing literary works, their lack of motivation to read and appreciate literature, and their deficiencies in English language. Achieving a greater understanding of the experiences of teachers’ conception of teaching literature can improve and influence best practice and possibly improve students’ learning. The findings of the study have implications for teacher education departments, literacy educators, literary scholars and pre-service educators.