THE ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS EFFECTIVENESS OF USING SHORT STORIES IN EFL CLASSROOM OF MYANMAR

Abstract

Short stories could be positively utilized in order to improve English language acquirement. This is reflected by students’ attitude toward applying short stories in the EFL classes.  The objectives of this quantitative and qualitative research were 1) to evaluate if short stories enhance learners’ language skills, develop their personal reflection and facilitate cultural tolerance, 2) to investigate practice of students and teachers towards effectiveness of using short stories in EFL classrooms of Myanmar, and 3) to identify the opinions of the EFL learners and teachers towards the use of short stories for developing language skills and communicative competence. The samples were composed of 143 English specialization students from second year to fourth year  and 27 English teachers who are currently teaching short stories at selected universities in Myanmar.They were selected through a purposive sampling method. The instruments used to gather information were student questionnaire, selected students’ interview survey and teacher's semi-structured interviews. The statistics employed to analyze the quantitative data were percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The result revealed that short stories help the students to develop the language skills more effectively. The gained vocabulary and expressions through reading and listening. According to teacher participants, short stories can contribute to students’ reinforcing effectively and meaningfully their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It is also found that it can assist students to be more creative and imaginative in their writing in a way to free the students from the routine procedures occurring in the classroom.