What is English?
The question may seem overly simple--unnecessary even,
but it is important to define the subject because if encompasses many aspects of our daily lives.
but it is important to define the subject because if encompasses many aspects of our daily lives.
The purpose of English education has always been debated, but primarily, it serves to help students develop important reading and writing skills while consequently inspiring love for literature. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE for short) have come together as a group of professional educators to give English literature a solid, more concrete definition. English education consists of three primary components:
- Teaching and learning English
- Continuing support of English teachers at all levels of education
- and the systematic process of teaching and learning English
All that is fine and dandy, but what exactly IS English?
Simply put, it is the reading, writing, and literary appreciation that goes into a work of literature and all aspects surrounding the process. Unlike other K-12 subjects, there are no numbers, no fancy algorithms associated. English is plainly the exchange of art between writers and readers and the many interpretations that can be gathered.
It is imperative that we address the importance of English and why it is something that students all over the world study to this day. Literature not only serves to teach us moral lessons, but it also inspires and moves us to reach heights that were previously unreachable. It gives us a way to not only communicate with others, but is open to various interpretations letting people from different backgrounds not only relate to one another but also talk about their differences in an educational setting.
As social creatures, humans are always looking for ways to talk with one another. Literature not only makes that possible, but helps people from all walks of life talk, write, and discuss their ideas in an organized, effective manner. With proper grammar, syntax, literary analysis and comprehension skills, we learn more together.
There are many types of books out there ranging from ones that educate to ones that entertain. Books themselves are gateways into different universes. They allow us to explore ideas that may be too difficult or unethical to delve into and even expand on concepts that were previously discovered in the past. Without literature, we would not have been able to come as far as we have as a collective human race. Below is a short video on the power books have in its papery bindings.
As social creatures, humans are always looking for ways to talk with one another. Literature not only makes that possible, but helps people from all walks of life talk, write, and discuss their ideas in an organized, effective manner. With proper grammar, syntax, literary analysis and comprehension skills, we learn more together.
There are many types of books out there ranging from ones that educate to ones that entertain. Books themselves are gateways into different universes. They allow us to explore ideas that may be too difficult or unethical to delve into and even expand on concepts that were previously discovered in the past. Without literature, we would not have been able to come as far as we have as a collective human race. Below is a short video on the power books have in its papery bindings.
Regardless of the greater power that books and in accordance, literature holds, there is always more to discover, read, and write about. The possibilities are endless when one is studying something as broad and expansive as English literature.
And so I say...
Read on! Write on!
Discover new things and together we'll make the world a better place, one book at a time.
Discover new things and together we'll make the world a better place, one book at a time.