The Benefits of English Literature in Education

English Literature explores the development of our favourite novels from across the world. It’s a way of allowing us to understand how stories are made and the impact they have on the world’s issues and themes. In school, children learn a lot about the impact that English Literature has on the way our skills develop and to understand common themes of the world’s most popular novels. 

Here in this guide from a preparatory school in Somerset, we explore the benefits of English Literature and how the subject helps develop core skills in children.

English Literature teaches children about worldly struggles

There are a lot of different themes present in a variety of novels, even if it’s a fictional story that doesn’t take place in the real world. As children learn about these issues in stories, they become more aware of what can be happening across the world as they know it. They also begin to develop educated opinions about common struggles, hugely beneficial for students interested in debating clubs.

English Literature teaches children about history and cultures

Even fictional stories relate to things that have happened in history. Students are learning a lot about history and culture and how they have shaped societies in the modern day. The skills children have learnt in English Literature lessons can also be beneficial to history and religious studies lessons due to the similar themes and cultures found in your favourite stories.

Students are learning how to communicate in different ways

Not all communication has to be done through speaking and listening. Writing is also a great way of learning how to communicate effectively through comprehension and analysis essays. This will show children how to read in effective ways, understand complicated sentences and to develop their grammar. It’s also good practice for essay writing and writing long form pieces of content.