Teaching English literature: Aims and Objectives

Abstract

Literature represents the human life and experience through a creative and emotive use of language. Literary texts are capable of offering learners aesthetic, intellectual and emotional pleasures. The teaching of literature is not only the transmission of knowledge about literary texts but it is more about the development of the learner’s abilities for enjoying and criticizing literature. The emphasis of teaching literature should be on providing opportunities to students that develop the ability to respond sensitively to a text with enjoyment and analyze it critically. The English literature teaching methodology should help students develop the skills of critical understanding and appreciation, and approach towards literary texts.