Exploring the Potential of Literature in Shaping EFL Learners’ Critical Mind

Abstract

The present paper seeks to examine the usefulness of literary texts in enhancing the students’ critical abilities.  It also attempts to shed light on the way literature leads students to think, reflect, question and analyse what they read and respond to it critically. This study addresses the following questions: What importance can be accorded to literary texts in developing critical thinking? How can literature reading re-shape students’ critical mind? Are literary texts worth reading for improving critical thinking? To find answers to these questions an experimental study was undertaken with a sample of Algerian EFL undergraduate students at Mostaganem University. The results obtained from the fieldwork analysis reveal that the literary discussions provided in literature classes, student’ written assignments and the oral exchanges about a literary text contribute to the progress of the students’ analytical skills and help them to shape their own critical mind. Yet, in order to enhance EFL students reading strategies, the reading atmosphere should be facilitated by the teacher and used as a free discussion ground where learners can freely debate, question and interpret. So, Literature does not only imply telling stories, it is telling a story which can create a feeling, an impression, develop ideas, and comment on a specific culture or a human behavior.