The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks

AbstractIntegrating literature in the English language syllabus has been discussed for a long time. The purpose of the current study explores the Iraqi English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perception regarding teaching literature in English textbooks in Iraq as an EFL context. To do so, 74...

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Main Authors: Asmaa Nader Sharhan, Kamran Janfeshan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2298610
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author Asmaa Nader Sharhan
Kamran Janfeshan
author_facet Asmaa Nader Sharhan
Kamran Janfeshan
author_sort Asmaa Nader Sharhan
collection DOAJ
description AbstractIntegrating literature in the English language syllabus has been discussed for a long time. The purpose of the current study explores the Iraqi English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perception regarding teaching literature in English textbooks in Iraq as an EFL context. To do so, 74 Iraqi EFL teachers were selected using a convenient sampling method. They were both males and females and they had different years of teaching experience ranging from 2 to 29 years old at the preparatory level at Iraqi high schools. A semi-structured interview and a questionnaire were the instruments of the study. The results demonstrated that Iraqi teachers believed that the literature spots sections of textbooks increase the linguistic development of learners through class discussion and involvement, develop cultural awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, promote personal involvement, and finally boost the individual growth of learners. Furthermore, the results reflected the positive perceptions of Iraqi language teachers toward the integration of literature in textbooks. Thus, the results of interviews indicated that a majority of Iraqi EFL teachers believed that the literature spots have been poorly compiled and both the quality and quantity of literature contents of these books are under the questions. Most teachers agreed that the literary parts needed fundamental revision if they want to achieve predetermined objectives. The findings have important teaching implications for Iraqi EFL teachers, syllabi, and curriculum designers.
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spelling doaj.art-e5d08fccda2a40b7886c523a342f93592024-04-04T09:26:59ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2024-12-0111110.1080/2331186X.2023.2298610The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooksAsmaa Nader Sharhan0Kamran Janfeshan1Wasit Educational Directorate, Kut, IraqDepartment of English Language Teaching, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, IranAbstractIntegrating literature in the English language syllabus has been discussed for a long time. The purpose of the current study explores the Iraqi English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perception regarding teaching literature in English textbooks in Iraq as an EFL context. To do so, 74 Iraqi EFL teachers were selected using a convenient sampling method. They were both males and females and they had different years of teaching experience ranging from 2 to 29 years old at the preparatory level at Iraqi high schools. A semi-structured interview and a questionnaire were the instruments of the study. The results demonstrated that Iraqi teachers believed that the literature spots sections of textbooks increase the linguistic development of learners through class discussion and involvement, develop cultural awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, promote personal involvement, and finally boost the individual growth of learners. Furthermore, the results reflected the positive perceptions of Iraqi language teachers toward the integration of literature in textbooks. Thus, the results of interviews indicated that a majority of Iraqi EFL teachers believed that the literature spots have been poorly compiled and both the quality and quantity of literature contents of these books are under the questions. Most teachers agreed that the literary parts needed fundamental revision if they want to achieve predetermined objectives. The findings have important teaching implications for Iraqi EFL teachers, syllabi, and curriculum designers.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2298610PerceptionIraqi EFL teachersliteraturepreparatory English textbooksJohn Chiang, Communication and Media, State University of New York, Oneonta, NY, USALanguage & Linguistics
spellingShingle Asmaa Nader Sharhan
Kamran Janfeshan
The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
Cogent Education
Perception
Iraqi EFL teachers
literature
preparatory English textbooks
John Chiang, Communication and Media, State University of New York, Oneonta, NY, USA
Language & Linguistics
title The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
title_full The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
title_fullStr The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
title_full_unstemmed The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
title_short The Perceptions of Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teachers about Literature Spots in Iraqi English textbooks
title_sort perceptions of iraqi efl preparatory school teachers about literature spots in iraqi english textbooks
topic Perception
Iraqi EFL teachers
literature
preparatory English textbooks
John Chiang, Communication and Media, State University of New York, Oneonta, NY, USA
Language & Linguistics
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2298610
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