Is it possible to learn Literature by rote?

Thursday - March 26, 2009 03:33

For many candidates, preparing for the Literature exam remains a major challenge in university entrance exams. In fact, the results of the Literature exam over the years, along with many "unique" essays passed on by teachers, have revealed significant confusion and shortcomings among students in both knowledge and exam-taking skills for this subject. Associate Professor Pham Thanh Hung (Faculty of Literature - University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shares some personal views on teaching and learning Literature, as well as suggesting some methods for studying and taking the Literature exam for candidates.

- Sir, is Literature a difficult subject?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Hung (Assoc. Prof. Dr. PTH):In the conventional understanding, "difficult" here means difficult to get high scores. If we agree on that, then currently, studying literature is not difficult, even very easy for bright students with good memories. Why is that? Because the literature in current high school textbooks is compiled and processed using the technology of the digital age: Everything can be turned into formulas, into "data," which can be memorized, cut, and pasted. Many students can memorize dozens of sample essays. Entering the university exam room, after receiving the exam paper, they can already...enterIf you let your brain produce a few pages of answers easily, the teachers will be forced to give high marks because there's not a single mistake in the answers.

Why do we see such hilariously absurd essays in every entrance exam?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:This tearful laughter can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it's due to the forced work of the tear glands from the facial muscles. Secondly, it's tears of bitter laughter, of sadness. These quirky, humorous essays and sentences reflect a decline in the quality of literature teaching and learning, and also stem from distorted, sometimes crude, conceptions of literature. The teacher believes that a slight deviation in the concept of literature can lead to a significant error in the student's essay. However, in reality, during grading, there are cases where students who can't complete an essay wait for two hours before being allowed out of the room. Not wanting to waste time, and with "idle hands are the devil's workshop," students resort to writing nonsense to entertain the graders. They become unwilling clowns.

- In reality, the amount of knowledge covered in Literature during the three years of high school is enormous, and many students complain that there are so many different exam questions about just one literary work, making it very difficult to cope.

Regarding textbooks and exam question formats, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thanh Hung commented:The Vietnamese high school literature curriculum is indeed overloaded. The overload isn't in the number of authors or works, but in the sheer volume of topics. This literature is the work of researchers and critics, the result of sometimes a lifetime of study by a scholar. Literature textbooks are heavily academic, and our students are forced to consume this overly rich, formulaic gift from university professors. In my opinion, high school literature doesn't need to be studied in such depth. After high school, students don't have to go on to do literary research or criticism, so why do the teachers write such profound and subtle things? In life, 95% of high school students (let's assume this is a rough estimate) will only see literature as a small pleasure, a pastime while waiting for the train. For a long time, I've thought that the literature curriculum in our high schools is inadvertently gradually eliminating the enjoyment of studying literature in young people. We need to expand the number of authors and works, both domestic and foreign, and encourage students to read and choose authors and works they enjoy. The most important thing is whether students actually read the works themselves, or whether they simply memorize and copy the research of the textbook authors. Many former socialist Eastern European countries have reformed their old literature textbooks, following this direction. I think we should also learn from their experience. We should expand the curriculum to include classical literature and the finest works of foreign literature. For so many years, there haven't been any university entrance exams related to Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Du, Ho Xuan Huong, etc. Perhaps someone explains that classical literature is difficult. Whether it's difficult or not depends on the teacher, on the concept of the exam, and on the knowledge required. Being able to memorize twenty lines from the Tale of Kieu (a self-selected text) is, I think, very valuable. It deserves a good grade. When designing exams, including those in high school semesters, graduation exams, and university entrance exams, attention should be paid to the creativity and active engagement of students in their interpretation. The effectiveness of learning literature is clearly demonstrated in the exam. Students will be much more enthusiastic when they don't have to present imposed knowledge, and have the opportunity to express their own opinions and understanding. Teaching should be about guidance, suggestions, and placing trust in the students.

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:I completely empathize with that sentiment. That complaint is perfectly legitimate and understandable.

So, how do we "deal" with so many different types of exam questions?

I think it's easy to deal with. First of all, the teachers grading the Literature exam at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) completely understand the difficulties faced by the candidates currently, so they won't be insistent on addressing the awkward or confused situations of the test-takers. The most important thing is whether the candidates have truly studied. In short, there are two key issues to consider:What the author writes about and how they write it.That means two issues: content and artistic form. If there are five types of exam questions, just focus on mastering the two basic types. When you encounter a different question, think about it, identify its specific requirements, and write in a way that aligns with those requirements. Each exam only needs about 5 to 10 sentences.keywordsThat's enough. If there are 5 sample essays for 5 different types of essay questions, study the 2 basic ones and use the 5.keywordsFor each of the remaining questions, you can rest assured and expect high scores. Create a plan.keywordsTo learn quickly and save time, when grading papers quickly, teachers often observe the appearance of those keywords. Seeing them immediately tells them the student has done well on the test.

- Nowadays, there are many types of books that provide solutions to Literature exam questions, allowing students to freely read and memorize sample essays. So, is rote learning in Literature acceptable?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:As I answered above, rote learning is possible. However, based on my experience grading essays, I remember that if you memorize model essays and write based on them, the score I usually give you won't exceed 7. This is because I can immediately find other errors to deduct from your score, so 7 is the highest possible score.

ButSo what is the best way to study and prepare for the Literature exam? How is studying Literature different from studying History, Geography, or a Foreign Language?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:Studying and reviewing both require a thorough understanding of the work's content. First and foremost, you must read the work carefully. The first reading should be unbiased, not constrained by textbook instructions. This is an unbiased way of reading. After studying, listening to lectures, rereading, and verifying your understanding to see if it aligns with your own insights. If it aligns, that's great. If not, try to remember a few key points, those crucial points that will appear in the exam. Secondly, you need to study and review systematically, placing the work and author within a historical context and period. This will make answering the questions easier, because when you...pumpkinIt's possible to compare and relate to contemporary authors and works on the same subject matter. Many essays are too short because candidates only focus on the work mentioned in the exam, discussing the author as a solitary writer and showering praise on the author as a unique phenomenon, forgetting about other authors, both before and after. I'm not sure which learning method is the most correct, but the method described above is appropriate given the current teaching and examination situation.

The difference between studying Literature and studying History, Geography, and Foreign Languages ultimately stems from the unique characteristics of this particular art form. Before being an idea or a reflection of life, literature is truly the art of imagination, the art of language. Therefore, it needs to be studied proactively, boldly exploring the beauty and richness of imagery and language, and confidently expressing and asserting one's own opinions. Sometimes, when grading papers, I feel like students are presenting their knowledge before an invisible literary judge. They write very obediently, constantly fearing mistakes or violations of the rules taught in textbooks. Studying and writing in this way inadvertently offends literature.

- Based on your years of experience grading papers, what is the typical structure and content of a university entrance exam in Literature? How do the Literature exams for Group D and Group C differ?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:This question should be posed to the teachers who have long been trusted by the Ministry of Education to create exam questions. I only see a simple structure: several small questions combined into one exam. Among them is a very easy question, designed to provide a safe haven for less academically inclined students. Like a safety net, anyone who answers that question can rest assured they'll get at least 2 points and leave. That question is worth a maximum of 2 points. The next two questions are worth 3 and 5 points. Unlike the first question, the last two require rhetoric, well-structured and thoughtful writing. The candidate's appreciation of the work and any creativity they possess are determined by these two questions.

Any differences between the literature exam for khối D and khối C, if any, are negligible. My view is that they shouldn't be different, as they have no significance in terms of selection and training.

- What common mistakes do you see candidates making when taking the Literature exam?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:The most fundamental error is a grammatical error, encompassing two levels: grammar and logic. The first reason for losing points is because...The text is not a complete sentence.There was a lack of awareness of punctuation. Then, the writing became rambling and I couldn't find the point I intended to make.

ButBesides having a good grasp of the subject matter, what test-taking skills do students need to do well on a Literature exam?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:The most fundamental skill is analyzing the question; simply put, you need to understand what the questioner is asking you to answer. Some questions are very subtly crafted, requiring analysis and reflection to grasp the questioner's underlying meaning. Others are presented directly and straightforwardly, like a call to action: "Analyze and prove…; You should…; You should…". In such cases, you should underline the key words of the question early on to stay focused and not stray from that core. If you're making an outline, only do it briefly, focusing on the keywords to avoid forgetting them. Write short answers for low-scoring questions and longer ones for higher-scoring ones. Don't waste too much time on low-scoring questions. For low-scoring questions, the principle is: answer only what is asked, and avoid unnecessary answers.

If "skill" is synonymous with "trick," then I'll add this: Firstly, don't invest all your effort and time into one question, even the one worth the most points (e.g., 5-7 points). You should try to answer all questions, even the ones worth the least points (e.g., 2 points). Only when you add up all three questions will you see a good score. Secondly, in our culture, handwriting reflects character. Even in the computer age, if you can't write beautifully, try to write neatly, use proper line breaks, and present your work clearly and legibly. Older examiners who read for long periods, especially those wearing reading glasses, often experience ear pain and nasal congestion.

ButFinally, do you have any further advice for this year's university entrance exam candidates regarding studying and taking the Literature exam?

ButAssoc. Prof. Dr. PTH:I would like to offer two pieces of advice: First, don't treat guidebooks and sample essays as the standard. Study the basics, focus on your textbooks, and enter the exam room calmly and confidently, like a discerning reader of Vietnamese literature. Second, there are hundreds of paths in life, whether you go to university or not; literature still beautifies life and helps people live beautifully.

Thank you, teacher, for your suggestions.

Author:thanhha

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