The efficacy of using concept of relatability in teaching of literature for Malaysian school students

• Main Author: Vasundera, Kumarasan
• Format: Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: L Education (General); PE English; PR English literature
• Online Access: http://eprints.utar.edu.my/6831/1/2004922_FYP.pdf; http://eprints.utar.edu.my/6831/

Literature is an area of language that many students show apathy towards in the 21st century as education is moving vastly. One of the reasons behind this is literature being portrayed as unrelatable and mere form of art. The simple concept of relatability can improve the quality of both teaching and learning in the literary domain. Many teaching approaches are used in schools to teach literature in Malaysian schools. Relatability on the other hand is a concept that defines aspects that are closely connected to one’s real life experiences. This concept shall be implemented in teaching of literature to make literature an expression of life and not just a form of art. This initiative curbs the declining interest in the literature pursuit as it introduces the concept of relatability as a teaching approach. This study investigates the efficacy of using the concept of relatability to teach literature in Malaysian primary schools. The experimental designed study, combining quantitative analysis of students pretest and post-test with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and controlled implementations, yielded positive results. The research was conducted in a primary school in the Southern Kinta District of Perak with a sample of 33 Year 6 students and 3 english language teachers. Findings reveal that incorporating the concept of relatability in teaching literature makes literature learning more relatable for the students. This report provides insightful contributions and recommendations for educators and also a foundation for research on teaching approaches of literature for 21st-century classrooms.