A study on the use of literature in the second language classroom

Abstract: This study reports on the use and benefits of fiction as a method to teach English as a second language in primary school. The study was conducted by reading previous research and conducting one-on-one interviews with six active teachers. The teachers all taught English in first to third grade, and they all had received education for it. The interviews contained questions about the use of fiction in both English and Swedish education. The results show that the general idea of using fiction to teach English is positive; however, only one teacher used it in practice. The other teachers list films and speaking exercises as their main tools for teaching English. According to previous research and interviews, the results of using fiction are positive, as it enhances vocabulary, comprehension and pronunciation. It has been shown that reading fiction enhances vocabulary, as the children are interested in what they read and therefore learn more as it engages them.