The Constraints of Foreign Learners in Reading English Literary Works: A Case Study at Hasanuddin University

Abstract

The objective of this research was to map out and seek solutions to the problems faced by students of English as a foreign language in reading literary works. Conducted at the Department of English and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Hasanuddin University, the study took place over one semester. The research respondents were Indonesian postgraduate students taking the English Stylistics and Literary Appreciation course. The aims were: 1) to map out the language constraints of learners in reading English literary works, and 2) carry out troubleshooting to minimize the constraints. The data collection methods used was a questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The results showed that the foreign learners need to have sufficient knowledge of trope and scheme in general and linguistic deviation in particular, in order to understand the author's language in a broad sense as well as specific literary stylistics.