Alternative methods of working with text and school reading during Polish language education and Polish language lessons

Abstract

Current way of discussing literature in Polish language and Polish studies classes, instead of sparking curiosity and encouraging reading, often leads to a rejection of books. There can be various reasons for such a state of affairs: from marginalizing the issues of the work and the psychologizing of characters with whom young readers can identify, to overloading the reading list with unattractive positions for children and youth, and ending with boring and clichéd lessons. Utilizing methods like fairy tale therapy or elements thereof can help young readers not only better interpret the messages of the work but also understand the motivations of the characters, making the reader and the characters from the readings closer to each other. Focusing on the issues and psychologizing of characters through alternative teaching methods seems to be a proper way to encourage students to read books discussed in school.