The Iraqi EFL Learners' Awareness of the Role of Reading Literature in their Creative Writing

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24412

Keywords:

Creative Writing, Reading literature, Language Proficiency, EFL Learners' Academic Abilities.

Abstract

This study examines the extent of awareness among Iraqi English foreign language learners about the potential impact of reading literature on developing their creative writing abilities. Furthermore, this study investigates the relationship between those who partake in literature reading and their academic skills. It examines the participation of 120 Iraqi EFL learners currently enrolled in the faculties of Arts, Education, and Education in Qurna, affiliated with the University of Basrah. It employs a mixed methods approach, including a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The results demonstrate a significant correlation between reading literary texts and developing creative writing skills. Several literary elements enhance creative writing, including a comprehensive understanding of figures of speech, cultivating critical thinking skills, engaging in literature courses, practicing paraphrasing poetry, and exposure to various literary genres. The findings also demonstrate that EFL learners profoundly understand the impact of engaging with literary texts on their academic abilities.

Author Biographies

  • Batool Abdul-Mohsin Miri, College of Education in Qurna, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq

    Batool Abdul-Mohsin Miri holds the position of an instructor at the English department, College of Education in Qurna, University of Basrah, Iraq. In addition to her instructional duties, she has also engaged in professional translation work. She is strongly inclined towards engaging in practical linguistic pursuits and staying abreast of current English Language Teaching (ELT) developments.

  • Mahdi Kadhim Kareem, Basrah Engineering Technical College, Southern Technical College, Basra, Iraq
    Mahdi Kadhim Kareem is an assistant lecturer at Engineering Technical College, Basra, Iraq. He is interested in dystopia, apocalypse, animal imagination, and post-colonial literature. He has been a professional translator in oil fields in Zubair, Basra, Iraq, for many years.
  • Mariam Naji Mazloum Al-Ghazawi , College of Education in Qurna, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq
    Mariam Naji Mazloum Al-Ghazawi is an English student who has recently graduated from the English Department in Qurna, University of  Basrah, Iraq. She is very passionate about literature, modern literary theories, and current trends in literary studies.

References

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Published

16-01-2024

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Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Miri, B. A. M., Kareem, M. K., & Al-Ghazawi , M. N. M. (2024). The Iraqi EFL Learners’ Awareness of the Role of Reading Literature in their Creative Writing. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 4(1), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24412

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