A Case Study on Students’ Identity Perceptions Using Literary Sources in Reading Courses

Year 2019, Volume: 7 Issue: 13, 1 - 12, 30.04.2019

Yıldırım Özsevgeç Volkan Mutlu

https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.431243

Abstract

Literary works are
conventional materials used in reading lessons because of their accessibility
and ease of use. Regarding that situation, the purpose of this study is to
gather the prep class students’ perceptions about literary works as course
materials and examine the data by taking into consideration the national
identity and class distinction. In this case study, JaneAusten’s
two novels Pride and Prejudice and Sense and
Sensibility are discussed in reading lessons in prep classes. At the end of
this process, 36 students are asked to complete an unstructured form to express
their thoughts on these books. As the results show, half of the students state
that choosing literary sources make them aware of author’s intentions, and the
contextual factors such as the political, social, and historical background of
the text. Students generally read novels, but they do not give importance to
reading these novels in English or reading literary sources which will be a
preliminary preparation for their department.

Keywords

Literature, Jane Austen, ELT (English Language Teaching, Social context

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