Academics and students at the official opening of the inaugural Literature Teaching Workshop held at the Fiji National University’s Natabua Campus in Lautoka.

The inaugural Literature Teaching Workshop commenced on Thursday at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Natabua Campus in Lautoka, bringing together educators and teacher trainees, to explore new and meaningful ways of teaching literature to children and young people.

Hosted by the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Law (CHEL) through the School of Communication, Language and Literature (SCLL), the two-day workshop is being held under the theme, “Transforming the Teaching of Literature (ECE–Primary–Secondary).”

The workshop brings together academics, pre-service teachers and students from across CHEL to explore innovative approaches to literature teaching across the early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors.

The Chief Guest, Professor Margaret Sims of Macquarie University and Adjunct Professor with FNU’s CHEL, highlighted the importance of carefully selecting literature that helps children understand the world while developing the knowledge, values and perspectives educators hope to nurture.

Chief Guest, Professor Margaret Sims of Macquarie University and Adjunct Professor with FNU’s CHEL, addressing the audience at the Literature Teaching Workshop.

She said valuable literature did not always have to come from glossy, published books, but could also emerge from children’s own experiences, families and communities.

“We want to give students experiences through literature that encourage them to think differently, and see the world from different perspectives. We also need to consider the emotional impact of the literature we provide to children.”

“We want children to develop empathy, so we should expose them to a range of literature that offers perspectives of children living different lives and experiences. It allows them to consider, what it feels like, to be this particular child, living in this world,” Professor Sims said.

The Head of the School of Communication, Language and Literature, Ms Suzie Aziz, said the workshop encouraged educators to reflect on an important question which is, ‘How can literature be taught in ways that encourage students not only to read, but to experience, question and connect with texts and discover meaning through them?’

Ms Aziz added that educators must continue adapting their approaches to meet the needs of today’s learners while preserving the richness and value of literature.

“We live in a rapidly changing educational landscape. Our learners are exposed to digital technologies, social media and different forms of communication from a very young age. Their expectations of learning are changing, and as educators, we need to think about how our teaching can respond while still preserving the value and richness of literature.”

“Workshops such as this are particularly valuable because, as teachers and educators, we are lifelong learners. We learn from research and new teaching approaches, but we also learn from one another,” she stated.

Ms Aziz further stated that literature plays an important role in shaping how children experience reading, storytelling and learning throughout their lives.

Head of the School of Communication, Language and Literature, Ms Suzie Aziz delivering the welcome address at the Literature Teaching Workshop.

“As students progress through primary and secondary education, our approaches to teaching literature must also evolve, so that it remains meaningful, engaging and relevant,” Ms Aziz elaborated.

For third-year Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (English and iTaukei) student Nainasa Veibataki, the workshop is an opportunity to gain practical strategies that she can use in her future classroom.

“I hope to gain the confidence to use effective teaching strategies, that will make literature lessons more engaging, interesting and meaningful for my students,” she said.

The workshop concluded yesterday with further presentations and discussions focused on strengthening literature teaching and helping educators create richer learning experiences for children and young people across Fiji.