Literary canon use within Swedish EFL teaching

Abstract

This literary review aims to examine possible changes in usage of literary canon in the teaching of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) within the Swedish school system. Literary canon discussions surface from time to time in the public debate, however, the discussion of what English canonical works are used in Swedish classrooms and why is largely unexplored. Even though EFL teachers are most likely well aware of what works could be considered canonical, the using of and approaches to these works is not as clear. By reviewing the discussions of English literary canon, the aesthetic/romantic viewpoint contra critical analysis is examined. The Swedish curriculae and syllabi are studied from a (canonical) literature angle. Since there has not been any broader political discussion concerning the EFL canon, propositions and motions about Swedish canon teaching are explored, in order to touch on what opinions there are on the canon in a broader educational context. Finally, there is a concluding discussion of what change in canon usage has occurred and what underlying reasons there may have been for such a change.