ENGLISH AND LITERATURE

AIMS OF TEACHING LITERATURE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

1.       For pleasure, satisfaction and entertainment.

When we watch a play on stage or read a novel, we associate ourselves with some characteristics and with others. It is because of the ways the writer creates those characters, how those characters speak to them or how they respond to whatever is done to them by other character reacts to itself in thought or action. The writer is not tied to facts in literature live history, so he can distort events, arrange the events in an unusual way to make the reader comment on human situations, problems, feelings, and relationship for the better or the worse.

2.       Broadening the learners’ knowledge of human affairs:

Literature does not rise from a vacuum. The writer exploits or manipulates conflicts from some situations( good or bad), problems in our communities, feelings of our  environment (praising or pitying) and relationships between individuals, groups or government.

3.       To equip learners with knowledge of different societies:

Literature is influenced by culture. When we read a book, we experience aspects of culture in it- eg the setting of African novels reflect the indigenous background of their Authors, views and admiration and defense of culture. ( Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thionga , Camara Laye, Okot P’Bitek etc)  

Literature and culture are inseparable. A writer, novelist, playwright or poet observes/examines a condition/situation or event in a certain place at a certain time – sits down and thinks about it- thinks about which audience to share it with. Then addresses or narrates the events or issues by x-ters on the ideas(themes) he wants his society to analyse. Characters are names of people, animals or things. They are created(fictional). They speak or do things for the author in the book. They are puppets.

4.       Education.

Oral literature is a powerful medium of transmitting a societal values through songs, music, proverbs, riddles……….social customs, sense of justice, the right and wrong in society are dealt with through spoken words or various performances.

5.       Nation building:

As a free and independent state, we need to develop good governance, a viable economic system and productive educational system to solve our day to day problems, amongst others.

-          Through aspects of oral literature like songs, stories, chants, drama etc.  People can reveal the best social, economic, or political system they want.

-          Nest Uganda is a multi-ethnic nation with different cultures therefore inter-marrying the progressive aspects of such cultures would be in the best interests of a nation.

6.       New vocabulary is acquired as words are used in context. Learners identity meanings as expressed by tone or voice, syress, pace and mood.

7.       Critical thinking.

Learners learn to make judgements on aspects of life i.e life skills.

8.       To develop the four language skills in the learners. Those are listening, speaking, reading and writing.

9.       To offer rmployment opportunities to the learners eg journalists, teachers, poets, playwroghts, novelists etc.

10.   To expose learners to different parts of the world eg when the learners study Eurpean novels, they get to know in details the lifestyle of the whites and their culture.

11.   To develop reading culture ie to develop readiness for reading poetry as a preparation for studying poetry at upper secondary.