The use of short stories in English language teaching (ELT)

Bc. Nikola SAŇÁKOVÁ

Master's thesis

The Use of Short Stories in ELT

Abstract:

This diploma thesis explores the use of short stories in English language teaching at lower secondary level. The theoretical part focuses on the short story as a literary genre and discusses its educational potential in foreign language teaching. It also examines how literary texts can support language development, learner motivation, critical thinking, and active participation in the classroom. The practical part presents a mixed-methods study conducted at a Czech lower secondary school. Data were collected through a questionnaire and classroom observation following two English lessons based on short stories. The research focused on pupils' attitudes towards short stories, their motivation and engagement during story-based lessons, their perceptions of language development, and their views on short stories in comparison with traditional textbook materials. The findings indicate that pupils generally perceived short stories positively and considered them an engaging alternative to textbook texts. The results further suggest that short stories can contribute to learner motivation, vocabulary development, and active participation in English lessons.

Abstract:

This diploma thesis explores the use of short stories in English language teaching at lower secondary level. The theoretical part focuses on the short story as a literary genre and discusses its educational potential in foreign language teaching. It also examines how literary texts can support language development, learner motivation, critical thinking, and active participation in the classroom. The practical part presents a mixed-methods study conducted at a Czech lower secondary school. Data were collected through a questionnaire and classroom observation following two English lessons based on short stories. The research focused on pupils' attitudes towards short stories, their motivation and engagement during story-based lessons, their perceptions of language development, and their views on short stories in comparison with traditional textbook materials. The findings indicate that pupils generally perceived short stories positively and considered them an engaging alternative to textbook texts. The results further suggest that short stories can contribute to learner motivation, vocabulary development, and active participation in English lessons.

Keywords

short stories, English language teaching, literature in ELT, learner motivation, language development, lower secondary education, literary texts

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 6. 2026

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Petr Anténe, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Education

Master programme / field:
Teaching English for Lower Secondary Schools / Teaching English for Lower Secondary Schools