The views of EFL students towards literature in English language teaching department

This study was designed to investigate the views of EFL students towards literature and the possible factors that influence these views at English Language Teaching Department of Anadolu University, Turkey. 220 participants from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade students took part in this study. Two groups out of each grade were randomly selected. In the selection procedure of the participants, Stratified Random Sampling was used. The data for the study was collected through four different instruments: a literature views questionnaire, a reading motivation test, the grammar and reading sections of the TOEFL test, and semi structured interviews. The statistical analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the ELT students at Anadolu University employ positive views towards literature. In terms of the possible conditions that influence the students? views towards literature classes the results of the present study depicted that there is a correlation between views about literature in Turkish and views about literature in English. Additionally, the study revealed that there is a correlation between students? perceived proficiency levels, personal taste in reading, upbringing and habits, reading proficiency levels and reading motivations and views about literature classes in English and there is a correlation between personal taste in reading, upbringing and habits and reading motivation and views about literature in Turkish. Another finding of the present study is that the ELT students at Anadolu University generally prefer the whole class discussion activities in their literature learning and teaching procedures, and this technique is among the factors effecting students? views about literature in English. The present study revealed that students? reading additional books in English has an effect on views about English literature. Furthermore, the present study figured out that there is a correlation between number of books read in L1 and the views about literature both in English and Turkish, and there is a correlation between number of books read in L2 and views about literature in English. The findings of this study may yield to further insights for implementing literature teaching techniques in the curriculum of institutes where literature and language education are combined. Furthermore, findings of this study may yield to further insights for reviewing the curriculum of the literature classes in EFL context especially at Anadolu University.