Exploring the potential of literature in shaping EFL learners' critical mind

الملخص EN

The present paper seeks to examine the usefulness of literary texts on enhancing students' critical abilities.

It also attempts to shed light on the way literature leads students to think, reflect, question and analyse what they read and respond to it critically.

This study puts into question the following inquiries: What relevance can be accorded to literary texts for developing critical thinking? How can literature reading re-shape students' critical mind? Are literary texts worth reading for improving critical thinks? To address this question an experimental study was undertaken with a sample of Algerian EFL undergraduate students at Mostaganem University.

The results obtained from the fieldwork analysis reveal that the literary discussions provided in literature classes, students written assignments and the talk exchange upon a literary work contribute to the progress of the students' analytical skills and help them to shape their own critical mind.

Yet, in order to enhance EFL students reading strategies, the reading atmosphere should be facilitated by the teacher and used as a free discussion encounter where learners can freely debate, question and interpret.

So, Literature does not only imply telling stories, it is telling a story which can create a feeling, an impression, develop ideas, and comment on a specific culture or a human behavior.