Studying English Literature not only equips children with a number of valuable transferable skills but also gives them an opportunity to consider other viewpoints and get lost in different worlds, which can be good for their mental and emotional health. Books we’ve read in childhood often have a big impact on the way we see the world and they help shape our identity as we grow. Read on to learn more about the benefits of English Literature in education from this best London Sixth Form.
A broader perspective
Reading a range of different texts helps broaden children’s perspective on life as they learn that people’s experiences are unique and might differ substantially from their own. This helps them feel and express empathy for others, and may encourage them to want to help people wherever they can. Through reading literature from other cultures, children develop tolerance and understanding towards people and traditions that are different from their own, and it may foster a desire to travel and explore other countries.
Critical thinking
Studying literature helps children develop the ability to think critically and question what they’re reading. Critical thinking is a skill they can apply throughout their life, both in further study and in the working world. They’ll learn to think about topics from different angles and gain the ability to consider alternative viewpoints – something which will come in handy when they’re listening to the news, planning projects at work or just debating issues with friends and family.
Creativity and imagination
Reading literature gives children an opportunity to explore the creative and imaginative sides of themselves. When they’re reading they’ll have to imagine the different characters and settings and bring them to life in their heads. They may even be inspired to start writing themselves, whether it be writing stories, articles or just journaling at the end of each day. Through this they’ll develop their creative skills even further, and they may even decide to apply these skills to a future career related to reading and writing.
Entertainment and relaxation
The mental and emotional health benefits of reading and studying literature should not be underestimated. Reading can provide a welcome relief from the rigour of science-based subjects, and give children a chance to escape for a little while and truly relax without any other demands on their time. They may find books they love reading into adulthood, and it can provide a healthy outlet for challenging emotions, allowing children to switch off and divert their attention when they’re perhaps finding life a little overwhelming. If they’re inspired to start writing themselves, this can be a great form of self-expression which they can turn to throughout their life.
Forming an argument
Children who study English Literature learn how to plan, structure and express an argument through writing essays, as well as how to do research and support their argument with evidence. This might give them the confidence to debate topics verbally, using the skills they’ve gained from essay writing to form an argument, back it up with supporting facts and persuade others to consider their point of view. This is a skill that will benefit them later in life.
Learning about resilience
In stories, characters often have to navigate various challenges to reach a goal. Learning about how others approach setbacks and disappointment, and bounce back from them to get something they want, is a valuable lesson for children; it may inspire them to adopt a similar mindset when they have hurdles to overcome in their own life.
As you can see, there are many benefits to studying English Literature; it can be a great way for children to learn about the world and their place in it, while giving them practical skills they can make use of as they move into adulthood.
