English Literature is a staple subject in schools that teaches students about important movements in storytelling, cultural themes, but also about how authors can give a huge impact on characters, their development and their individual struggles.
There are heaps of benefits to English Literature that extend further than just reading books and developing your own stories. Here are some big benefits to English Literature that this International School in the UK shares with us.
Develops a child’s transferable skills
Writing essays is a big part of a child’s journey through taking on their exams and giving them the chance to look through questions and think critically. Developing their skills in writing means that students become better researchers and are able to write coherent and accurate analyses, arguments and persuasive content.
These are all hugely beneficial when it comes to writing in exams. A lot of school exams rely on students to write a lot of content to get their point across, especially in History and Business Studies exams. English exams are typically writing essays within a set time limit, so it’s great practice to start writing and getting to grips with your child’s essay skills.
Similarly, employers look for these sorts of skills on CVs. They’re hugely transferable, especially if future employees are asked to put together reports, presentations and pitches, liaise with clients and more.
It broadens a child’s horizons
While you may associate a lot of child’s development in English Literature with Shakespeare, there are of course many strands to storytelling. Your child can explore poems, memoirs, protest pieces and diaries. They all have different meanings and show a child of the many struggles people have faced throughout history.
A lot of novels, even catered to children and young adults, teaches students about adolescence, relationship building, racism, discrimination and many other common themes found in society today. Literature opens a child’s mind and allows them to broaden their horizons with their new found knowledge.
Improves a child’s writing and vocabulary
One of the biggest benefits is of course a child’s ability to write much more coherently and be able to develop their vocabulary. They can do this through regular reading, writing and developing their own essay technique as they develop their skills. It often gives children the chance to work on their creative writing skills as well. It helps them with their use of different words in a variety of contexts instead of relying on the same words they normally use in their writing. A more developed writer makes for better arguments, better debating skills and improved communication.
Literature connects us to history
History is a big part of literature and how they can develop a child’s sense of understanding. Even in fictional stories there’s often a relation to pointing out something from the past that it relates to. Giving your child the chance to explore different parts of history will make them feel more comfortable with what they know.
It’s important for students to not forget about events from the past, and novels work to implement them in different ways even in fictional stories. It highlights the problems of the time, often reflected in dystopian stories, that gives your child the awareness of how a problem was tackled in the past.
In exploring literature, students will have the biggest chance to develop their skills, build upon their understanding of the world and become aware of cultural influences. It gives students a range of transferable skills that can be used in multiple scenarios, and gears them up for future studies and even in future roles. Having the chance to think creatively is also a big part of why students benefit hugely from English Literature lessons taught in schools, and makes them more intelligent as a result.
