We all know that educators and parents alike constantly emphasize the importance of a well-rounded education. But for those who don’t think literature has a place in education, allow me to make a case for why it should.
The importance of literature in education is not a new concept. It has been discussed and debated for as long as there have been classrooms and colleges. This article explores how these two factors go hand-in-hand and the positive points gained from them.
Children learn their moral lessons, about life and society, in story-telling. Literature is therefore essential to all curricula. It is the heart of education in both primary and secondary schools in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
What is Literature?
Literature is a vast topic. In its most basic sense, literature can refer to any written work – from novels and poems to essays and speeches. When an academic study of literature is being conducted, it can also refer to what constitutes “literature.” Some examples of this include: linking reading and writing, redefining the literary text; the social justice dimension in children’s literature; and understanding race, gender, and class in non-Western works of literature.
What is literature’s significance in the education system?
Literature is the language of adversity, showing up to reveal what has never been saying. A text communicates with its audience by telling a story that they have not yet heard. Literature changes us at our most primal levels – it runs deep in the veins of society, writing the stories, fables, and myths that give meaning to life.
Literature’s significance in the education system is crucial. Reading books is one of the most beneficial ways to improve language skills, develop empathy, inspire creativity, and experience something different from one’s own life. Lit isn’t just about sitting back passively. It’s active participation in meaningful dialogue between people who are different from you.
Is there any harm in not incorporating literature into your curriculum?
There are many reasons why teachers should utilize literature in their classrooms. First, it improves student motivation because they are interested in the content. Additionally, it enhances brain function by developing vocabulary, figurative language use, complex sentence structure, and critical thinking skills that are relevant to all subject areas.
One of the most essential things about literature is that it provides us with a universal view of life. This perspective is able to cut through all fences of race, religion, and nationality. Literature also gives us an opportunity to see different perspectives and cultures or societies that we would not be able to experience firsthand.
None of the arguments against educators teaching literature has any substantial evidence backing them up. None of these arguments can be proven to be more effective than others, nor is there persuasive data drawing any of these conclusions. Literature not only helps students become good readers; it teaches empathy, encourages creativity, and sparks imagination for even the most reluctant of readers. It also often reflects what has happened throughout history, which is impervious to error. Furthermore, the philosophy behind teaching literature in schools is that it makes students think- they have to look at textbooks critically or else gain nothing from reading them.
Why is it still needed?
The arts and humanities, in particular literature, are important in education because they let students learn empathy. When we read a novel featuring a protagonist with the same ethnic background, our own understanding is expanded.
Artists help us make sense of the world by adding new perspectives to everything they touch. Sometimes this reflects our world back at us in new ways; other times, it leads us to see things we might never have seen before. Teaching reading and writing is fundamental, but institutions can never put literature aside because incredible benefits last far beyond the classroom.
Conclusion
The importance of literature in education is undeniable. It helps us grow as individuals and better understand the human experience. If schools only focused on novels rather than textbooks, people would become stronger and more imaginative. A lot of children benefit from this because it stimulates their minds and encourages creativity and expression. We need to teach our children more literary elements so we can live up to the saying “knowledge is power.”