Techniques Used by University Instructors in Teaching Short Story

Abstract

Among all types of literature in general and fiction in particular, the short story is considered an effective tool in EFLT. It is not only attracting the students' attention but it is also self-motivating. Since it is relatively short and condenses, the short story is a valuable material for mastering the four language skills that is, listening. Speaking, reading and writing. Therefore; the teaching techniques used by the teachers in teaching should be reasonably chosen. The real value of using these techniques lies in the fact that as much as these techniques are varied, they lead to a successful and fruitful process of learning a foreign language. It is hypothesized that the current techniques that are used in teaching short story are in need to be developed in order to meet the student’s needs. These teaching techniques must be effective and make the students of English departments acquire different skills without concentrating on limited skills such as reading and memorizing only. However, literature plays a vital role in teaching English as a second language. The use of literature for EFL classes presents valuable materials for the in-class and out of class activities of language teaching, learning and practice. Stern emphasizes that teaching literature in foreign language classroom help to master the four skills of language namely reading, writing, listening and speaking. Besides, they help students to master the vocabulary and grammar of the language and develop the four levels of thinking, viz, literal, inferential, analytical and evaluative.1 This is so because literature can open horizons for students to question, interpret, connect and explore. Literature then, cans the vehicle to improve students' overall language skills. It can expose students to a wide variety of styles.2 The short story as a part of literature acquires a great importance in teaching English as a foreign language. It not only attracts the students' attention, but also links their personal experiences to the contents which contribute greatly to their reading development. Through teaching stories, the students can learn new words and expressions. Their minds become accustomed to the syntactic and structural patterns of the new language they are learning.3 Because of its shortness and abundance of themes, it becomes a challenging activity in teaching process. Also the techniques that are used in teaching the short story cannot satisfy all the needs of the students. So, it is the responsibility of the instructor to choose the correct and suitable technique that enables him to pass to his students the ideas of the writers. The primary purpose of learning a foreign language is to acquire the ability to communicate ideas, feelings, meanings and attitudes in the foreign language.4 It is clear that it is the instructor, through the teaching techniques he uses, who decides the form and content of classroom interaction5 . It follows that the techniques used by instructors are the only vehicle available inside classroom that help students learn and have experience to achieve the objectives set beforehand.6 Therefore; the mission of the story instructor involves imparting and developing notions of taste, assessing validity and the ability to recognize beauty.