Elizabeth Reflection 4

Literature in PLMGS is a "niche subject". As many of the students come from English speaking  backgrounds, language is not an "issue" that would deter them from learning the subject. In the Secondary 3 level, there are three classes taking Pure Literature and four classes in the Secondary 4 level. They are currently teaching Shakespeare's 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Roar of Thunder, Hear my Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor

As Literature is my CS2, I am taking three Secondary 2 (lower sec) classes. In general, the literature teachers are all rather "qualified" to teach Lit (the don't teach a text like its a comprehension passage)  and see value in teaching the subject, going beyond the text and teaching life lessons. The students are rather responsive in class, even in the lower end classes as they are accustomed to lessons that gives them space to imagine and be creative. 

Currently, the Secondary 2 students are reading Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". While there is a minority who say that they don't understand what's going on in the plot,the majority of students are keen to analyze characters (not just for characterization sake) but to relate it to how they view themselves and others.

It is rather common to hear, amongst students and, that one needs good english to excel in Lit, that it is difficult to score in the subject and many other exam-related concerns. Ms Indranee also agrees with this perception that Literature is hard to obtain good grades. Why so? There is a misconception that your language has to be very good before taking Literature, and that one's answers is left to the examiner's discretion/"feeling" about what is considered good writing or even interpretation of the poem or character. 

While it may seem unfortunate that Literature has to be examinable, I feel that it is a good exercise that students take to help them see/examine how they have grown in their maturity of understanding characters, relating to situations and feeling for something that may be unfamiliar to them. Many times, there is a tendency to get carried away with the content of the text/poem (since this what is "tested") that we lose the essence of relating to the characters/story. Literature (, music and art) allows students step back and examine their own emotions, going beyond listing adjectives to describe characters. It gives the opportunity to imagine and dream of "what-could-be". 

Having said that, although Literature is considered a compulsory subject in the lower secondary level, the MOE should definitely not make it a compulsory subject in the upper sec level. After all, if the subject is about freedom of ideas and choices, students should be given that freedom. What we as teachers and the MOE can do is to alter the stereotype that is attached to the subject and improve the exploration of freedom and imagination that it brings.