Innovation in Language Learning

This paper analyses the role of authentic children’s literature in the training of prospective primary EFL teachers. The focus is not on children’s literature as a teaching tool, despite its fundamental importance (Ghosn 2002, Linse 2007, Masoni 2017, 2018), but rather on the beneficial effects that an immersion in and critical awareness of authentic children’s literature can have on trainee EFL teachers’ sense of efficacy. On the basis of ongoing research in the setting of a university course in primary education, we argue that children’s literature should play a major role in EFL teacher training programs, first of all because it grants access to the English language as used by, with and around children. Secondly, because this immersion allows teachers to look at things from the perspective of children learning a FL and helps them reflect on their role as FL educators (Altstaedter et al. 2016). Exposure to children’s literature grants prospective teachers specialized linguistic knowledge, as well as a knowledge of the culture and imagination of childhood embedded in the target language (Kramsch 2009). These and other aspects can have important effects on trainee teachers’ ability to experience a sense of authenticity when learning and teaching the FL, as well as on their future ability to communicate with children in meaningful ways. A reflection on how children’s literature can help prepare EFL teachers calls for a reconsideration of the profile of the EFL teacher and of university EFL teacher training practices. Should we design teacher training courses that draw heavily on authentic children’s literature, with a view to enabling prospective teachers to feel more confident in using the target language, even despite limited proficiency (at times)? Can this approach contribute to fostering creativity and independence in prospective teachers’ future teaching practices? All of these points will be discussed through findings from ongoing personal research and latest theories on the subject.

Keywords: Primary EFL, trainee primary EFL teachers, authentic children’s literature;