Learn English with 20th Century Literature

This course is aimed at students learning English as a foreign language (upper-intermediate or advanced level) who love literature and who would like to improve their English skills using stories. The course focuses on the first few chapters of 9 different works of literature. In each book, we come across different vocabulary and different grammar, although you will see some words and topics repeated, because repetition is the mother of all learning. Every lecture in split up into smaller 10-minute(ish) parts, and a quiz follows each one to check you have understood the topic. The following books are analysed in this course:

1) The Guardians (John Christopher). This is a dystopian fiction for young adults. I would describe it as similar to 1984 or Brave New World, but with a more exciting plot. In this book we examine correlative conjunctions, lists, and parallel structure. We examine the vocabulary in every book in this list, but this one contains the easiest language as it was aimed at an adolescent audience, and that's why I have put it at the beginning.2) The Postman Always Rings Twice (James Cain). This is a crime novel that was banned in Boston due to the sex and violence that make it a part of the 'noir' genre. The story contains a large number of phrasal verbs, which are so important for English fluency, so we focus on these in the lessons.3) Hills Like White Elephants (Ernest Hemingway). This is a very short story, not more than 5 pages, which contains a large amount of ellipsis (omission of words) and substitution (pronouns). These are our grammar topics, and Hemingway uses them to great effect in this tale.4) Strangers on a Train (Patricia Highsmith). This is another crime novel with some very interesting characters. We focus on narrative tenses (past tenses) and perfect modal forms (modal + have + 3rd form).5) The Daughter of Time (Josephine Tey). This is a historical novel in which a modern detective, while bored and recovering from an injury in hospital, investigates who killed the princes in the tower during the reign of Richard the Third. He arrives at some astonishing, yet convincing, conclusions. We analyse the perfect forms of gerunds and to plus infinitive. 6) The Iron Heel (Jack London). This is a political novel with an interesting plot. The main protagonist is an ardent socialist with a talent for arguing for his cause. There is a large amount of subject-auxiliary verb inversion, so this is our focus. 7) Waterland (Graham Swift). Written in the 80s, this is an emotional tale about a history teacher who decides to tell the pupils about his own personal history, which they seem to enjoy more than the stories about major historical events. We analyse the various functions of would and as in this story. 8) A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters (Julian Barnes). This is more like 10 short stories rather than 1 novel, but the stories do overlap. Once again, there is a large number of interesting phrasal verbs, so we focus on these.9) Mr Know All (Somerset Maugham). This is another gripping short story that does not take long to read. We analyse the gerunds and infinitives in order to revise their usage.

The three most modern stories (The Guardians, Waterland, A History of the World) are not freely available online, so you will need to buy these texts, but all other books are available on free websites such as Project Gutenberg

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain a deeper understanding of how authors use parallel structure to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely
Identify complex gerunds and infinitives and grasp on which occasions they can and should be used
Identify past modals and hypothetical conditionals and understand why and when they are employed
Memorize a large number of phrasal verbs in context and use them accurately in your speaking and writing
Gain a deeper understanding of how authors use a wide range of tenses to bring a narrative to life

Analyse how authors use ellipsis and understand why and when certain words can be replaced or omitted
Analyse how authors use subject-auxiliary inversion and memorize on which occasions it can and should be used
Acquire a wide range of new vocabulary by memorizing a large number of new words in context
Identify simple gerunds and infinitives and revise on which occasions these forms should be employed
Understand and identify mistakes that are regularly seen in literature, in order to bring the characters to life

Gain a deeper understanding of how authors use parallel structure to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely
Identify complex gerunds and infinitives and grasp on which occasions they can and should be used
Identify past modals and hypothetical conditionals and understand why and when they are employed
Memorize a large number of phrasal verbs in context and use them accurately in your speaking and writing
Gain a deeper understanding of how authors use a wide range of tenses to bring a narrative to life
Analyse how authors use ellipsis and understand why and when certain words can be replaced or omitted
Analyse how authors use subject-auxiliary inversion and memorize on which occasions it can and should be used
Acquire a wide range of new vocabulary by memorizing a large number of new words in context
Identify simple gerunds and infinitives and revise on which occasions these forms should be employed
Understand and identify mistakes that are regularly seen in literature, in order to bring the characters to life

Syllabus

The Guardians

The Guardians - Part 1

The Guardians - Part 2

Waterland - Analysis 2

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores topics in literature, which is standard in language learning

Teaches grammar and vocabulary in context, which helps learners improve their language skills

Focuses on advanced grammar concepts, which is helpful for intermediate to advanced learners

Taught by an experienced instructor, which may be assuring to learners

Uses a mix of media, such as videos, readings, and quizzes, which may enhance the learning experience

Requires learners to come in with some background knowledge in English, which may limit accessibility

Reviews summary

English skills through 20th century literature

According to students, this course offers a unique and highly effective approach to improving English skills, particularly for upper-intermediate to advanced learners with a love for literature. Learners say the instructor's explanations are clear and engaging, making complex grammar concepts like phrasal verbs, narrative tenses, and gerunds easy to understand. The course structure, with short, digestible lectures followed by quizzes, is frequently praised for aiding retention. While most found the selection of diverse 20th-century literary works excellent for context, a few note the course focuses more on language acquisition than in-depth literary analysis. Some materials require purchase, which a few learners found a minor inconvenience, but overall, it's a valuable tool for advanced English fluency.

The course prioritizes English grammar over deep literary analysis.

"While I appreciate the focus on specific grammar points like gerunds and infinitives, sometimes I wished for more comprehensive coverage of the books themselves, beyond just the first chapters."

"Good for grammar, but not really for literary analysis. I enrolled hoping to explore the books more, but it's very much an English language course first."

"Sometimes they felt a bit isolated from the broader literary analysis. It's good for specific grammar points, but perhaps not for literary appreciation."

Recent improvements noted in audio consistency.

"My only minor gripe is that sometimes the audio quality was a bit inconsistent in earlier lectures, but it seems to have improved recently."

Short, digestible lessons with quizzes aid understanding and retention.

"Every lecture in split up into smaller 10-minute(ish) parts, and a quiz follows each one to check you have understood the topic."

"The short lecture segments keep you engaged, and the quizzes truly test your understanding."

"The course design is effective, breaking down lessons into short, digestible parts followed by quizzes. This made learning complex grammar points much easier."

Instructor provides clear, engaging explanations of complex grammar.

"The instructor's explanations are clear and engaging, making complex topics easy to digest."

"Instructor's passion for literature shines through, making even complex grammar topics interesting."

"The instructor breaks down difficult concepts into manageable chunks."

A unique and effective method for improving advanced English skills.

"This course exceeded my expectations! The way literature is used to teach advanced grammar and vocabulary is brilliant."

"Absolutely loved this course! As an avid reader and someone trying to master English, this was a perfect blend."

"A fantastic resource for improving English through context. I gained confidence in my advanced English."

Some books need to be purchased, adding an extra cost.

"The three most modern stories (The Guardians, Waterland, A History of the World) are not freely available online, so you will need to buy these texts..."

"I found the requirement to purchase some books a bit inconvenient, especially since only the first chapters are covered."

"Be prepared to buy books if you want to follow along fully, which can add up."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn English with 20th Century Literature with these activities:

Review Basic Grammar Concepts

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Enhance your foundation in grammar to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

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Review your notes from previous grammar courses.
Complete practice exercises on basic grammar concepts.

Organize and Summarize Your Notes and Course Materials

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Improve your understanding and retention of the course material by effectively summarizing and organizing your notes.

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Gather all of your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Identify the key concepts covered in each module or lecture.
Summarize the key concepts in your own words.
Organize your notes in a logical way.

Read 'The Guardians' by John Christopher

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Gain a deeper understanding of how authors use language and narrative techniques to create engaging and thought-provoking stories.

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book at your own pace.
Take notes on any literary devices or techniques that you find particularly effective or interesting.

Six other activities

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Join a Study Group to Discuss the Course Material

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Enhance your learning through collaborative discussions and peer support.

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Find or create a study group with other students in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Share ideas, perspectives, and support with your group members.
Quiz each other on key concepts.

Read the Short Story 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway

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Enhance your comprehension of how authors effectively use ellipsis and substitution to convey complex emotions and unspoken thoughts.

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Locate a copy of the short story.
Read the story carefully, paying attention to the use of ellipsis and substitution.
Analyze how these techniques contribute to the overall impact of the story.

Write a Short Story Using Phrasal Verbs

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Solidify your grasp of phrasal verbs by incorporating them creatively into your own writing.

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Brainstorm a list of phrasal verbs you want to use.
Develop a plot and characters for your story.
Write a first draft of your story, incorporating the phrasal verbs you have chosen.
Revise and edit your story, ensuring that the phrasal verbs are used accurately and effectively.

Master Correlative Conjunctions, Lists, and Parallel Structure

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Practice and reinforce your understanding of how authors employ correlative conjunctions to articulate their ideas logically and coherently.

Browse courses on Lists

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Review the lecture on correlative conjunctions, lists, and parallel structure.
Complete the exercises provided in the lecture.
Find examples of correlative conjunctions, lists, and parallel structure in your own writing or in a text you are reading.

Write an Essay Analyzing the Use of Subject-Auxiliary Inversion in 'The Iron Heel' by Jack London

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Develop your analytical skills by examining how subject-auxiliary inversion shapes the tone and style of a literary work.

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Reread the novel, paying particular attention to the use of subject-auxiliary inversion.
Identify specific instances where subject-auxiliary inversion is used effectively.
Analyze the impact of subject-auxiliary inversion on the tone and style of the novel.
Write an essay that presents your analysis.

Design a Website or Blog Post Summarizing the Key Concepts of the Course

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Synthesize your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding of the course material by creating a comprehensive and engaging deliverable.

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