Hi everyone,

It is very enjoyable to see so many of you here....
When I read between the lines, I could imagine all the wonderful bright young faces who will continue the aspiration of our country in making learning literature in English a successful.

I was there before, in those jubilant time where everything about literature is wonderful. I felt so free, so immersed in my dreams and imagination. Well, but some just could not get it of why is it that I am so excited about this boring subject which is literature.

Along the way until where am I now(UKM), I stumbled a lot on the way but I am very lucky to be blessed with good literature teachers, lecturers and a very supportive parents and siblings. (Thank you dad and big bro for buying me all those english storybooks, thank you mom for your understanding and thank you sis as you bear listening to all the noise that I made when reading english newpapers or storybooks). I do not know what will happened if I am you. :)

I remembered when I was in the Teacher's training College, my english lecturer , Miss Rani advised me that I should further my study after college. I was not confident at all and I think she saw it on my face.

But here am I, just like Miss Rani said,'you should go for it'. Her dedication, determination, motivation, etc set a tremendous example for me and my friends. As a student, we learnt how to be one from her, as a teacher, we learnt too from her.

Literature is fun!!..I felt it before and now for even more. My lecturer , Dr. Ganakumaran sparks it again in me just as Miss Rani had done for me.

'I AM HERE BECAUSE OF YOU AND I WAS THERE BECAUSE OF YOU'

Thank you.

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redgarfield (A98283)

Teaching literature is fun because literature can be a form of art, or a book, something you read for pleasure, for knowledge or simply for viewing the world through another's eyes.
Teaching literature is fun because literature has no boundaries, there is never right or wrong because we can appreciate the fact that everyone sees things differently.
Teaching literature is fun because you can present it in a million different ways. There are no rules that you are bound to follow or steps that restricts your growth of ideas and creativity.
Teaching literature is fun because it is not merely about the language but also about the culture, the insight that it can convey to us.
Teaching literature is fun because of all the interesting reactions or ideas that you can get from your students.
Teaching literature is fun because you teach your students to discover their talents may it be in arts, dance, theater, writing, critical thinking, and the list is simply endless...

Hi soniadiosa,

Its really fun to read your view on literature. You make it sound as it is so easy and fun to teach and learn literature.

If only others would see it as enjoyable as we see it.
If only others would consider it as pleasure as we feel it.
If only others would appreciate the views, believes, etc as we appreciate it.
If only others would discover the insight of it as we discover it.

As quoted from Galda and Cox(1991:582)
"IF WE ARE GOING TO TEACH LITERATURE TO OUR STUDENTS WITH THE INTENT OF HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE DIFFERENT CULTURES, THEN WE MUST GIVE THEM BOOKS THAT WILL INTRIGUE THEM, STORIES THAT WILL EXCITE THEM, CHARACTERS THAT WILL CALL TO THEM: 'COME TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES'..."

Thank you.

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redgarfield (A98283)

Hello everybody,
hi redgarfield, asran and jaines78.

Literature is interesting.
Literature is fun.
Literature is enjoyable.
But,
None of that will be a reality
Let alone possibility
If,
You. We. I . They. Them. He. She. Everybody
Doesn't understand what literature is.
Show us teachers..
Show us creative teachers...
Show us creative and enjoyable teachers
Show us creative, enjoyable and knowledgeable teachers
What is literature.....
And better still
Can I try some?

Hi everybody!

Literature is exciting? How come?

1. Students can explore their creativity.
2. Students can work together as a team.
3. Students are free to express their ideas.
4. Students can be whoever they want.
5. Students doesn't have to memorize formulas ( you
know what i mean ... hihi )
6. Students can dressed up and participate in class
presentation.
7. Teachers can enjoy teaching and at the same time
'mission accomplished!'

See... 6 reasons for students and 1 reason for teachers on why literature is exciting. Students should enjoy literature more than the teachers. So students, enjoy the literature class. Mind you that actually all the teachers doesn't mean to 'syok sendiri' in the class but for you to gain knowledge and at the same time ENJOY!

In my opinion, i feel that whether literature is fun or exciting to students, is not totally depending on the teachers' teaching.
For me, the students need to develop their reading habits before they can really enjoy what's called literature.
Try to think that, when we have students who don't like reading, how are they going to enjoy the fun that the literary texts provide?
So, i still feel that, teaching literature can be fun only when students read more and then the teachers can share more things with the students.

Hi everyone!

hi flipfold27.. do you mean biography...or geography?

I guess the main issue here is READING and READING and again READING!

When we get students who doesn't like or want to read, so be it. We can't force them or otherwise it won't be enjoyable.. rite? So, what we can do is.... join the club. This is quite weird, absurd and risky but we can do an experiment about it.

First, what we can do is story telling. Let us take one short story. Of Bunga Telur and Bally Shoes by Che Husna Azhari for instance. Don't tell the story till the end.This might be a kindergarten approach but since your students doesn't like reading, force them to listen!

Next, after your students have listened to your soothing voice, ask them to guess what is the most possibble ending to the story. They might come out with various endings and solutions and maybe no answer at all and as a teacher, you will know which students that read the story based on their answers.

After the students gave their aswers, which are all correct, select one of the closest answer that is similar with the actual ending. Based on my experience, girls normally got it right ( ehem! ) Reward the student 'kaw kaw' and perhaps that will be a motivation for the rest of the students. If they still dont want to read the text, perhaps, your prizes are not interesting enough. Maybe instead of giving keychain, you can give a voucher to enjoy 'Prosperity Burger'.... The next thing you know, that place ( you know what i mean.. free advertisement ) will be crowded with your students.

Eventhough this approach normally works, it will cause harm to teacher's pocket. Do not try this when 'in the middle of the month' and the text selected is short and simple. Try do it with 'The Return' by K. S Maniam instead.

Take care.. Have a nice day!

Hello everyone,
(Teachers, Teachers-to-be, fellow friends……)

Thru my experience, it depends on the individuals.
If the teacher is creative, I believe he/she can make teaching
(regardless of any subject) exciting, interesting
and full of fun.

Just flashback with what Dr Gana did with us
during tutorial last week. He instructed us to write a three-line poem. Simple, easy and motivating,
isn’t it, for a start.
(although we all knew that he has to answer his phone call at that time)

Composing your own poem ….really gives me an insight that
“you can do it if you believe you can “
(Malaysia Boleh Spirit)
Although it looks like no big deal to write that particular poem
but if you examine in depth, Doc is applying
& exploring his creativity in class
regardless of any circumstances.

As for me, I have never taught literature nor learned it
during my schooldays before although I love reading literature texts.
But as people say, learn thru experience (thru micro teachings & exposure thru various learning situations)
now I dare to say I am ready to make teaching and learning literature exciting.
Approach teachings in the right ways and make students involve in every activity
are the KEY POINTS. Improvise the teaching methods up to our students level is also important.

Last but not least BE CREATIVE in class.

A 98320

Hello everyone,
(Teachers, Teachers-to-be, fellow friends……)

Thru my experience, it depends on the individuals.
If the teacher is creative, I believe they can make teaching
(regardless of any subject) exciting, interesting
and full of fun.

Just flashback with what Dr Gana did with us
during tutorial last week.
He instructed us to write a three-line poem.
Simple, easy and motivating,
isn’t it, for a start.
(although we all knew that he has to answer his phone call at that time)

Composing your own poem ….really gives me an insight that
“you can do it if you believe you can “
(Malaysia Boleh Spirit)
Although it looks like no big deal to write that particular poem
but if you examine in depth, Doc is applying & exploring his creativity in class
regardless of any circumstances.

As for me, I have never taught literature nor learned it
during my schooldays before although I love reading literature texts.
But as people say, learn thru experience (thru micro teachings & exposure thru various learning situations)
now I dare to say I am ready to make teaching and learning literature exciting.
Approach teachings in the right ways and make students involve in every activity
are the KEY POINTS. Improvise the teaching methods up to our students level is also important.

Last but not least BE CREATIVE.

A 98320

Hi Aboy,
You are unquestionably right; teachers should know what they are teaching in classroom.
As the saying goes, “If you want people to follow you, you should be the follower first”.

Therefore you will understand the situation better becoz you have been in their shoes before. It makes things much easier when comes to teaching.

I believe teachers fall into many categories. So which one you choose to be (the dedicated, the motivational or the one who only think of salary)
If you really wanted to be a teacher, no matter what situation you faced, you go all out to make teaching interesting and make students learned and enjoyed your teaching.

Good teachers will always work hard to make their students understand and enjoy learning. So teachers should be/learn to be creative in teaching. If students understand the lesson well, for sure they will show their appreciation towards learning literature. After all, appreciation is subjective. You can’t teach you students to appreciate if they don’t understand the reason behind it.

In other word, the more students enjoyed learning the more likely they appreciate the lessons. Then you can see tremendous changes in them towards learning.

However, I believe it is not your fault when some of your students, who study literature just for the sake of passing the examination. Then nothing you could do even you have tried hard to make teaching interesting. But Aboy, teachers shouldn’t give up hope easily.

BE CREATIVE.

A 98320 Quote: