Studying English Literature at the undergraduate level as opposed to studying it for Advanced Levels

Abstract

A significant difference can be observed in the ways in which literature is taught for the Advanced Level governmental high school cut-off examination to university, and in University syllabi in Sri Lanka. According to the research findings, students who have been trained to utilize a Language Based Model are encouraged to adopt a new approach informed mainly by Personal Growth Model, and Cultural Model, in University. (Carter and Long, 1991) The qualitative research was conducted with 11 first year undergraduates of the Department of English, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. The students‘ approach to studying literature in the University was assessed against the way they studied literature in school. The objective of this research was to discuss the significance of the way in which literature (fiction) is learnt at the first year undergraduate level of University in comparison to the way in which literature is learnt in Advanced Levels at school. The methods used were class-room observation, and a structured interview conducted with 11 1st year undergraduates of the Department of English, University of Kelaniya The findings showcase that the students who study English Literature in the first year of the University took time to accustom themselves to the different pedagogical approach of teaching, depending on their skills of coping and adaptability.