TeachingShakespeare’s Romeo and Julietin L2 adult education : A qualitative study on teachers’ and students’ opinions on Shakespeare and his language as a topic in the EFL classroom in formal and non-formal adult education

Abstract:

This essay presents a literary study for adult students of English at English A level at Komvux (municipal adult education) and Vuxenskola (a study association for adult non-formal learning). It has its basis in the question whether reading Shakespeare in the original version is suitable for language learners as form, and is beneficial as content. The classic play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare features in the course book Read and Log on used by the English A group at Komvux in my chosen municipality. The primary aims of the study were to explore teachers’ attitude and views on teaching literature – the classics in general, and Shakespeare in particular – to adult language learners, and students’ reactions and opinions about a lesson on Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet in the original language with regards to content and usefulness.