The English Teacher's Association (ETA) of NSW has opposed the move to strengthen the teaching of Australian literature in schools.

The ETA objects to ‘the selective nomination of some types of text as this implies hierarchies in generic form and medium rather than in the quality of the texts themselves', as reported in the Australian.

The ruling was based on a survey of ETA members in which 43 out of 1800 replied. The ETA is also quoted as saying that restricting the definition of literature to the print medium is ‘imprudent, reductive, short-sighted and, most importantly, undermines the integrity of current English syllabuses'.

The ETA argues that ‘Any definition of 'Australian' needs to see Australia in a global context, and to take account of indigenous and multicultural perspectives'.

However, Jeremy Fisher, executive director of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) says the ETA's published comments are ‘a total insult to Australian authors and their achievements'.

Fisher told the Australian in response that a trial conducted by the ASA and the NSW and Federal Departments of Education and Training in fact proved that teaching Australian literature in schools ‘increases both literacy levels and the engagement of students with narrative forms'. He encourages Australian authors to respond to the Australian's article.

Source: http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/articles/2008/09/09611/

This article from Thorpe Bowker's Weekly Book Newsletter and Media Extra is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

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