Emilia Luukka investigated conceptions of literature in Finnish general upper secondary English as a foreign language (EFL) education and values associated with literature. Luukka wanted to know, if the role of literature in EFL should be reassessed.
She collected survey data from English teachers, interviewed teachers and textbook authors and analyzed EFL textbooks. She created her own analytic framework for the textbook analysis, and analyzed the data sets using different qualitative methods of analysis.
Meanings associated with literature were present in the selected texts, how literature was used and the various reasons why literature was appreciated. Teachers and textbook authors valued literature as pedagogically versatile material, which as a phenomenon extended far beyond the hardback covers of printed books.
“Conceptions of literature are conveyed through words, deeds and images. The role of literature in EFL education should be reassessed regularly, because what, why and how we read always entails a statement on what we value not only in the texts chosen but in humanity as well,” Luukka observes.
Conceptions of literature are central to foreign language education
Foreign language education necessitates the ability to put one’s conceptions of language, culture, learning and the humankind into words.
“I argue that the ability to explicate our conceptions of literature is equally important, because conceptions guide pedagogical practice. That’s why school communities, teacher educators, curriculum designers and educational policy makers should actively discuss these key conceptions. Discussions can clarify our conceptions and the values they entail,” Luukka reflects.
Discussing value-laden choices is commonplace for the Luukka family of six. Over the summer the family moved from Tampere to Kemiönsaari in the Finnish archipelago, where the diverse nature and unhurried pace of life leave room for focused attention, learning and creativity.
Public defence on Friday, 7 November
The doctoral dissertation of MA Emilia Luukka in the field of foreign language education titled Literature in Finnish General Upper Secondary English as a Foreign Language Education: Value-laden conceptions as guiding principles of pedagogical practice will be publicly examined at the Tampere University Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences on Friday, 7 November 2025 at 1 PM, at the City Center campus, in the Main building lecture hall D10b (Kalevantie 5, Tampere). The Opponent will be professor Amos Paran, from University College London (UCL). The Custos will be docent Markku Salmela, from Tampere University Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences.
The doctoral dissertation is available online.
The public defence can be followed online.