Our Approach To Tutoring English Literature

An alarming rate of South African high school students are barely passing English due to literature. The problem is threefold: First, students are unable to read accurately. Second, learners are unable to read for meaning. Finally, students are deficient in vocabulary because they do not read enough.

Recently, one of our high school students informed me that they don’t read in class; instead, their English teacher does all the reading. This statement shocked me and rendered me speechless. Back in my day, during the OBE curriculum, each student was required to read. Our English teachers made certain that each pupil had the opportunity to read, particularly literature. I find it quite disturbing that the typical South African adolescent receives merely between 50% and 60%. Something is seriously wrong here! Naturally, children in paying schools have minimal issues with speaking English. They possess excellent pronunciation and communication skills. The biggest problem lies with comprehension.

At LEWB, we are cognisant of the fact that many high school students lack adequate reading skills, which is the root of many problems. To help learners improve their English literature scores, we employ the following strategies:

1. Reading is key 
We require students to read the text more than once. Reading slowly, line by line, the first time. The second time around, for meaning, and the third time around, for deeper meaning and connecting the figures of speech.

2. Single out unfamiliar words 
We encourage students to identify words that they are unfamiliar with. Then we provide pupils with definitions and examples that they can personally relate to.

3. Identify the structure and figures of speech
We train learners to analyse the layout of the poem and describe the structure.   

4. Analyse the language used
LEWB educates students to consider the author's word choice and the reason for the chosen language.

5. Explain the text thoroughly 
Learners are required to describe each stanza or paragraph and to quote from the passage to prove their point.

6. Personalise the text
We engage students with the text and ask them for their thoughts on the subject. Furthermore, we encourage students to give explanations of their opinions or answers. 

7. Go through questions and answers 
We revise the poem, advertisement, or reading comprehension passage by answering test-like questions.