Using authentic literary text with advanced learners

Why literature?
I chose to examine the use of literature in the reading class for a number of reasons. The first stems from my own enjoyment of literature. I think this is vital if the lesson is to be successful. If the teacher is not enthusiastic about the material being presented, then it is difficult to see how he or she can engender positive attitudes in the learners. Secondly, my own experience as both a language learner and an observer of my students has shown me the benefits that reading literature in L2 can bring. I think that any experienced teacher could identify those of their students who read in English outside of the classroom. This increased exposure to language stimulates acquisition and expands awareness. The readers in the class not only have more extensive vocabulary stores, they also seem to possess greater communicative competence than the non-readers.
At advanced levels, reading literature exposes the learners to language being used in unconventional ways. It in...