'O' Level students' appreciation of English literature

Abstract

This dissertation analyses students' appreciation at 'O' level standard of English Literature. Appreciation was understood as students' liking for literature and their ability to see its continued relevance nowadays despite the texts' publication dates. The means which led to that appreciation and its possible increase through creative pedagogical intervention were also considered. The main ideas discussed were teacher delivery, examinations, and texts and textbooks chosen. To this purpose handouts and sample lesson plans have been devised and are presented in the teaching packs and the appendices. Through research it was found out that students base their appreciation of literary texts on the way these are presented in the classrooms and their perceived relevance to the students' own experiences. This led to the conclusion that although the majority of students like literature, there should be an improvement in the way that it is presented to them.