AJU2107 Literature and culture in EFL classes

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
In order to attend the course, no formal requirements are necessary. It is recommended for students who embrace an integrated approach to learning and are interested in participatory pedagogy and reader development.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Inspired by a variety of educational theories, approaches and techniques (participatory pedagogy, drama education, value education, SEE learning, experiential learning, solidarity theory, blended learning, issue-based learning and problem-solving), the course examines and practically demonstrates the role of literature and culture in the context of upper-secondary EFL classroom.

The course's special focus targets different approaches to promoting literature and reading literacy. Understanding reading as a versatile, multidisciplinary tool for holistic and sustainable education, the course argues that engaging with literature not only improves language proficiency, critical reading skills and connective thinking but can also contribute to personal wellbeing, facilitate social and global awareness, and develop intercultural sensitivity.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will:
• have an understanding of how literature and culture ties in with FRE, across the curriculum and for personal development and life-long learning;
• be equipped with methods and strategies that help promote, organize and monitor reading in the classroom and beyond effectively;
• be able to identify suitable reading material for the EL classroom as well as relevant topics in them;
• have experienced and critically reflected on sample literature/culture tasks and activities and their applicability to real teaching situations;
• have created and piloted a small-scale group project in their own teaching practice.
Syllabus
  • Intensive crash-course class, February 16 (8-12, 13-17)
  • 1. Literature and culture in the context of EFL class and in general.
  • 2. The Do-English Box: literature and culture activities.
  • 3. Literature as a prompt for speaking and writing activities.
  • Independent asynchronous online work, individual consultations and a teaching practice pilot (February 19-May 17)
  • 4. Types of reading.
  • 5. Selecting suitable reading for EFL class. Authentic and non-authentic reading material.
  • 6. Literature and culture in EFL textbooks.
  • 7. Literature and culture in the context of the 21st-century skills.
  • A concluding reflection class (as part of a reflective seminar).
Literature
    required literature
  • DeCapua, A., & Wintergerst, A. C. (2016). Crossing Cultures in the Language Classroom, Second Edition . Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press ELT.
    recommended literature
  • GILL, Simon a Michaela ČAŇKOVÁ. Intercultural activities. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
  • HAMILTON, Judith a Anne MCLEOD. Drama in the languages classroom. London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, c1993. Pathfinder.
  • KRAMSCH, Claire J. Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press, c1993. Oxford applied linguistics
  • KOHLS, L. Robert a John M. KNIGHT. Developing intercultural awareness: a cross-cultural training handbook. 2nd ed. Boston: Intercultural Press,
  • CART, Michael. Young adult literature : from romance to realism. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010
  • DELANOY, Werner a Laurenz VOLKMANN. Cultural studies in the EFL classroom. Heidelberg: Universitätsverlag Winter, c2006
  • Maley, A (2001) ‘Literature in the language classroom' in The Cambridge Guide to Teaching ESOL, Cambridge University Press.
  • Beach, Richard, and James Marshall. Teaching Literature in the Secondary School. Wadsworth Publishing, 1990.
  • Gibson, Rex. Teaching Shakespeare: A Handbook for Teachers. Cambridge University Press, 2016.
  • Eaglestone, Robert. Literature: Why It Matters. Polity Press, 2019.
  • McRae, J (1994) Literature with a small 'l', Macmillan Education.
  • AGO, Carol. Classics in the classroom: designing accessible literature lessons. Portsmouth: Heinemann, c2004.
  • MORGAN, John a Mario RINVOLUCRI. Once upon a time: using stories in the language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, c1983
  • Duff, A & Maley, A (2007) Literature (Resource Books for Teachers), Oxford University Press.
  • Young adult literature and adolescent identity across cultures and classrooms : contexts for the literary lives of teens. Edited by Janet Alsup. London: Routledge, 2010.
  • OLTON, Gavin M. New perspectives on classroom drama. Hemel Hempstead: Simon & Schuster Education, 1992.
  • Pulverness, A (2003) ‘Literature' in English Teaching Professional, October, Issue 29, Modern English Publishing
Teaching methods
pair and group work, project work, DEAR time, independent online work, field work (teaching practice).
Assessment methods
Attendance is compulsory. To get the credits, the students will (1) read one YA book; (2) will present a mini-portfolio of class worksheets; (3) will present a project/lesson plan, preferably piloted focused on literature and/or culture.
Language of instruction
English
Study support
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/23-24/course/view.php?id=7851
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/AJU2107