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UM E-Theses Collection (澳門大學電子學位論文庫)

Title

Poems and stories of Macao : a book of readings for Form Six and first-year university levels of Macao English learners

English Abstract

The role of literature in language teaching has been increasingly recognized since the 1980s by English Language Teaching (ELT) experts and by those teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). There have been many ESL/EFL texts presenting the fundamental skills of literary analysis. However, these texts do not provide materials relevant to Macao. To fill in this gap, my thesis focuses on English texts written by Macao writers about Macao and is a compilation of such texts into a book of readings intended for Macao English learners of Form Six and first-year university levels. In my opinion, it is appropriate to use literature about Macao to instill an appreciation and greater insight into the heritage of Macao among young people, fostering interest and motivation to read literature, as well as assisting teachers who wish to teach Macao literature by providing them with teaching materials about Macao. This thesis consists of four parts: an Introduction, the Student's Book, the Teacher's Book, and a Conclusion. The Introduction is a background survey of recent research studies regarding literature and English language teaching. The Student's Book is comprised of two sections: Reading Imaginary Literature about Macao: Poetry and Fiction and Reading Non-fiction about Macao. In the first section, there are readings by Philip Reavis, selected from Macao from a Looking Glass (1999), Christopher Kelen's poems, and a short story, “San Ma Lo,” selected from A Draft of the Seasons: Eighty Macao Poems (2003), as well as a selection from Austin Coates’ City of Broken Promises (1990). In the second section, there are two chapters: one includes a selection from Katherine Hillard Low’s Harriet Low: My Mother’s Journal, and finally, an extract from an article in The New Macao Times in 2002 introducing a well-known Portuguese poet, Camilo Pessanha. Reading selections, biographical information on the authors, and background references about Macao are included in each chapter. Following each reading selection, relevant comprehension and language exercises are provided. In addition to the Student's Book, a Teacher's Book is provided. In it, detailed explanations of the readings, more information about the authors, as well as more extensive historical and cultural background information concerning Macao are presented. An answer key is also included, which will be useful when using the book in the language classroom or for those studying alone. A CD of images and audio readings is also provided as an additional teaching or learning resource. The final chapter of this thesis, the Conclusion, includes an analysis of classroom pilot testing results, a summary of tentative conclusions and limitations of this project, as well as questions recommended for further investigation.

Issue date

2004.

Author

Ma, Shuk Man

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Department

Department of English

Degree

M.A.

Subject

English language -- Study and teaching -- Macau

English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Macau

English poetry -- Macau

English fiction -- Macau

Supervisor

Rendall, Thomas Ned

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Location
1/F Zone C
Library URL
991000140949706306