USING MODERN AMERICAN FICTION AS A MEANS OF LEARNING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

The article deals with a special approach of using literary works (American fi ction, in particular) while learning a foreign language. Language as a constantly changing matter is the best refl ected in fi ction. That is why students who study English as their major should pay attention to studying works of the modern writers – where they can fi nd the best examples of the language they are learning. The diversity of meanings in one and the same literary text (Chomsky N., Sperber D, Wilson D.) opens a great area in front of a learner who may better understand certain grammar forms, usage of tenses, lexical peculiarities, etc. It is considered normal when a literary text chosen for reading in English contains 10% of unknown words and phrases or complicated grammar structures. The author has chosen Kerouac’s novel “The Dharma Bums” to illustrate the richness of the vocabulary and simple for comprehension grammar structures used in a descriptive narrative.
E.Albee’s “Three tall women” shows how students may benefi t from reading a play – it is ideal for training dialogue and monologue communicative skills. Reading modern American fi ction should be an integral part of learning English as a foreign language.