Introduction of literature in the EFL classroom by means of an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet

Abstract

Literature is said to bring unparalleled benefits in terms of learning, not only regarding language proficiency but skills and values. Therefore, the present Master’s dissertation, which follows the structure of an Educational Improvement Plan, is aimed at improving the teaching process in the English as a Foreign Language classroom, by means of the introduction of literature as a key element to teach not only language, but other skills. Hence, a Didactic Unit rooted in literature and its didactic applications has been designed and implemented among a group of students of 2nd ESO. In order to prove the benefits of literature in terms of teaching, the proposal is structured in different sections. In the first place, the theoretical background which justifies the use of literature is going to be provided. Secondly, the benefits of introducing theatre in the classroom will be presented along with the integrated approach that was used in order to cover the language model, the cultural model and the personal-growth model. This theoretical section is followed by a description of the elements used in order to observe the implementation and collect the data necessary to provide our conclusions with a solid basis. After this preliminary section, the context in which the implementation took place as well as all the subjects involved in the process are going to be described. Then, a section devoted to justify and expose the criteria followed in order to select the materials used in the DU is going to be addressed. Next, the didactic unit is going to be presented, as well as its curricular concretion and the ways in which diversity has been embraced in our classroom. Following this part, the role of parents in the process is also going to be outlined. The final part of the dissertation consists of a description of the implementation itself as well as a section devoted to the reflection, the analysis of the results and the suggestions for improvement that could be drawn after the implementation.