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have good perception on the study of literature in ELT. Most of them think that learning literature is important in ELT. For example, literature helps them to
improve their skills and social life. Five of the students suggest the lecturer to have more attractive method. Only four students are not fond of literature
courses.
2. The students’ opinion on the contribution of literature courses in
English Language Teaching
To answer the second question, the researcher uses essay questions on the questionnaire as the source of information. Based on the data of the students’
opinion presented on the appendix, we can see that the contributions of literature study in English Language Teaching are classified into four, as follows:
a. To understand humans’ sensitivity
Literature courses help the students to understand humans’ character and emotion. They can learn moral value implied in literature as it is reflected or
functioned as the portrait of human life. Therefore, it brings the students to be sensitive and learn the stories reflected in people’ real life. It will help them to
have good moral value in daily life.
b. To develop English Skills
The students will develop their English skills when they learn literature. They will extend the mastery of vocabulary and idioms when they read many
books. Next, it will improve their writing skill as they have rich vocabulary. It also encourages students to think deeply about the textual meaning of a passage. It
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will develop the students’ ability to infer meaning. It helps the students to have careful attention in detail. In literature, the students are encouraged to analyze the
character, setting, and think deeply about the problems. They will have such habit to read deeply and help them enjoy reading. Therefore, their reading ability will
be developed.
c. To optimize the balance of right and left hemisphere of the brain
The function of the brain will be optimized when they learn literature. Left hemisphere concerns with analytic thought, logic, language, science and math and
also literal while right brain hemisphere concerns with holistic thought, intution, creativity, art and music, poems, rhymes and parables. Drama, art, prose, poetry,
play performance will develop the right hemisphere of the brain, whereas the literal text will develop the left hemisphere. Therefore, literature will help the
learners to develop both left and right hemisphere as it will keep the balance of the right and left hemisphere.
d. To understand literary works
The textual meaning of a passage sometimes consists of poetic words, which are difficult to understand. Learning literature helps the students to analyze
the literary works. Moreover, they will know how to infer the meaning of the passage.
e. To understand other culture
