Poetry Appreciation In English Literature

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background

Teaching English as a foreign Language to Arab students, specifically, to the Sudanese ones requires from EFL teachers to devote a considerable amount of time and effort in different areas of the learning process. Improving students' performance and competence in the four basic skills of English (speaking, reading, listening and writing) has for a long time, been the main concern of the teachers in classrooms. In addition to the grammatical rules which represent the main focus of the learning process. Moreover, the concentration on English literature became less than the other areas of the learning process. Although, the use of literature as a technique for teaching both basic language skills (i.e. Reading,

Moreover, it exists like other literary genres for the sake of understanding and appreciation. The difficult task facing teachers is how to develop this sense of appreciation and understanding in learners who are not interested in poetry. Some English teachers along with several university learners do not understand English poetry; therefore a majority of them expresses a negative attitude towards it.

Here the purpose of poetry teaching is to improve learners’ English ability instead of poetry appreciation only. Of course it has the function of poetry appreciation, but its major aim is to serve language learning. And it is often taken as one of the ways of language learning. As for the part of appreciation, it is the second aim. Language learning is the first target, while poetry appreciation is the second and it is actually the means to serve language

Further, the researcher will provide the students with the basic instructions for mastering the various poetic devices. Moreover, the multiple approaches and methods used and written about in the area of teaching poetry, as well as to improve the EFL teachers and learners attitude towards English poetry appreciation at Sudanese universities.

1.1Statement of the Problems

English poetry has less concern in the recent years have gone by due to various reasons: Firstly, it is the inadequacy of qualified teachers who have the skill in teaching English poetry as well as the ability to teach it obtains enough experience and necessary skills. Consequently, the need for qualified teachers is the primary issue in current English poetry teaching in Sudan and it is the guarantee of the success in this genre.

Secondly, there is a demand for effective and accessible approaches, methods, activities, and techniques in poetry teaching. Thirdly, the lack of appropriate and effective teaching materials which can meet the needs of different levels. Besides, the students often reach the university with little experience in relating to poetry and are often intimidating to