Literature In Language Teaching Essay

There are several definitions of literature from different points of view. In general, Moody (1971, 1) defines literature like an umbrella term giving information on every business. Literature is being interested in every kinds of written and spoken business, and it can be defined as expressing a specific subject e.g. literature for medicine, literature for law, literature for construction, etc.
However; in language teaching it can be defined as: “Literature is the use of language effectively in suitable conditions” (Baird, 1969: 203). According to him literary texts can be used in language teaching, as long as the language used in literary text is suitable for the context. Among the functions of literature, as seen in the definitions, the most important one is the use of language. (cited in Türker, 1991: 300).
Different authors have certain implications for the approaches they adopt to using literature in the language classroom. For the type of language in which literature uses Murdoch
There have been different views among the academics however today there is a renewed concentration on the use of literature in the classroom.
Maley (1987) distinguishes between the study of literature and the use of literature as a means of language learning. He claims that the study of literature involves an approach to texts as cultural artifacts while the latter involves that literature is language in use and can therefore be benefited for language learning purposes.
Some linguists, for instance, do not agree with using literature in language classes. Topping (1968) argues that literature should be excluded from the ESL curriculum because it has a complex structure, does not confirm to standard grammatical rules, and includes remote cultural perspectives. According to these linguists literature does not contribute to ESL students' practical goal of achieving linguistic