Towards Humanistic Learning Literature in English: Students’ Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities in Mixed Classes at the University of Rwanda
Keywords:
Challenges, Higher Education, Humanistic Approach, Literature, Mixed Classes, OpportunitiesAbstract
A learning environment that promotes interaction and learners’ ownership of their learning is effective. Promoting this learning in literature in a second language benefits not only individual learners but also groups. While the 21st century research has been awash with new ideas on the significance of teaching literature, studies have found that literature in English is more of an opportunity than a challenge to foreign language learners. In this study, the researchers delve into learners’ perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of learning literature in English in mixed classes at the University of Rwanda, College of Education. Three issues have been focused namely students’ background and their interest in literature in English; challenges and opportunities of learning literature in English in mixed classes; and students’ perspectives on how the identified challenges can be addressed. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this case study was guided by humanist theory, which emphasizes the learner as central and the teacher as facilitator. With a complement of diverse secondary sources, data was collected through interviews with four participants and a questionnaire administered to a convenient sample of 50 participants selected from 240 students. Through descriptive and thematic analysis, findings revealed that teaching literature in mixed classes offers more opportunities to learners than challenges. Results also highlighted that through mixed-ability classes, students’ English language skills improve, while it is generally little before they join higher education. The study recommends that literature should be used as a tool from primary to tertiary levels, especially in countries where English is pragmatically taught as a foreign language. Lecturers in the big literature class should apply humanistic principles so that they can create a supportive learning environment for diverse-ability students.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2024 Gabriel Bazimaziki, Evode Nshimiyimana, Maurice Mpumuje, Benoite Abewe
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Vincent Niyibizi, Gabriel Bazimaziki, Justin Karengera, Jean De La Paix Muragijimana, The Significance of English Writing Skills on Learners' Performance: A Case of Two Secondary Schools in Kicukiro District, Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): April-June 2024
- Mpumuje Maurice, Information Communication Technology (ICT) Integration in Teaching and Learning in Selected Rural Secondary School in Burera District, Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): April-June 2024
- Maurice Mpumuje, Gabriel Bazimaziki, Jean De La Paix Muragijimana, Exploring the Role of Oral Literature in Enhancing Learners’ Language Proficiency: A Case of Three Selected Secondary Schools in Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): April-June 2024
- Gabriel Bazimaziki, Vedaste Nsengiyumva, Jean Leonard Ndayishimiye, Felix Micomyiza, Evode Nshimiyimana, Emilien Bisamaza, Maurice Mpumuje, Kinyarwanda Language Change: A Prescriptivism Perspective of Selected Settings , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 3 (2024): Jul-Sep 2024
- Emmanuel Harerimana, Anthony Kamanzi, Cyprien Tabaro, Evode Nshimiyimana, The Contribution of English Reading Materials to Improving Students' English Performance in Lower Secondary Schools in the Shyira Sector of Nyabihu District, Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): April-June 2024
- Evode Nshimiyimana, Dr. Anthony Kamanzi, Ester Mutoni, Gabriel Bazimaziki, Teaching Poetry: What is Taught and What Should be Taught? Case Study of Secondary Schools Offering Literature in English at the Advanced Level in Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 3 (2024): Jul-Sep 2024
- Evode Nshimiyimana, Patrick Ujwiga Anguru, Jean Paul Ngoboka, Neurocognitive Approach to Successful Learning and Speaking of English Language among Day Secondary Schools in Nyagatare District, Rwanda , African Journal of Empirical Research: Vol. 5 No. 3 (2024): Jul-Sep 2024