EXPERIENCING POETRY: UNLEARNING AND RELEARNING LITERATURE TO DEVELOP READING INTERESTS IN LITERARY WORKS

Abstract

Building on results of a classroom-based survey on students’ literacy habits, this article reports
on how an exploratory study on experiencing poetry can change EFL students’ “ways with
literature.” First problems from past experiences with literature are discussed and theoretical
insights proposed which will bring to fore the need for a change in pedagogical orientations.
Next the idea of “experiencing poetry” is flashed out by addressing the knotty problems
literature teaching has been faced with. Step-by-step instructional procedures are discussed
together with their corresponding pedagogical considerations. Some guiding pedagogical
principles are then proposed and discussed to complete the workshop. From this exploratory
study, it is evident that students learned from one another in the context of sharing of literary
experiences and from observing how the literature instructor as a more knowledgeable member
of the culture demonstrated the way he experienced the poem he was reading. More specifically,
from experiencing poetry and sharing about what they like from what they experience and
enjoy, students learn to reflect critically on what they get from reading.
Keywords: experiencing poetry; EFL literature-learning; literature for empowerment