Literature in an IT context: teaching literature on non-specialist language programmes

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the place of literature, if any, within Institutes of Technology in Ireland and to explore the challenges facing language teachers in terms of teaching literature on non-specialist language programmes. The broader function of literature, namely the development of an awareness of diversity (Alvermann and Phelps 2001) will also be discussed. Finally, there is an increasing prevalence of aliteracy in all sectors of society and this article will consider the implications of this within education in the Institutes of Technology.