Teachers’ Perspective of Teaching Literature in Large Classes: Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

This study investigates Pakistani teachers’ perceptions on challenges faced and strategies used while teaching English literature in large classes at a public sector university in Pakistan. Data for this study was collected from 10 teachers of literature, including men and women as well as novice and experienced teachers, through semi-structured interviews. The study has applied a qualitative mode of inquiry employing Thematic Analysis. The key arguments based on findings of this study reveal that teaching literature in large classes has many challenges especially in public-sector university in a developing country like Pakistan. Participants in the study talked about lack of resources, lack of engagement and student anonymity as main problems related to teaching and learning literature in a large class setting. The experiences of novice and experienced teachers differ from each other as younger teachers adopt more engaging activities and use social media and technology to help student engagement.