ENHANCING LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY THROUGH LITERATURE: THE ROLE OF SHORT STORIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS

Abstract

This study investigates the role of Francis Bacon’s essays—Of Studies, Of Truth, and Of Friendship—in enhancing the English language proficiency of non-native learners. The research was conducted with 100 undergraduate students enrolled in a language class, where the selected essays were integrated into a twelve-week teaching program. The study employed a qualitative design with supportive quantitative elements to explore how Bacon’s writings contribute to vocabulary development, grammatical awareness, rhetorical appreciation, critical thinking, and communicative competence. Data were collected through pre- and post-language proficiency tests, classroom observations, reflective journals, and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that learners benefitted significantly from the exposure to academic and archaic vocabulary, which expanded their lexical range and encouraged the use of more sophisticated terms in both oral and written expression. Bacon’s concise and aphoristic style provided natural models for complex grammatical structures, while his use of rhetorical devices such as metaphor, parallelism, and antithesis offered learners memorable patterns for stylistic expression. The moral and philosophical depth of the essays stimulated critical thinking, leading students to articulate and defend their own interpretations in class discussions and reflective writing. The cumulative effect of these processes was a marked improvement in communicative competence, with learners demonstrating increased confidence, fluency, and coherence in expressing abstract and analytical ideas. The study concludes that Bacon’s essays can serve as effective pedagogical tools in the ESL/EFL classroom, not only enhancing linguistic proficiency but also cultivating intellectual engagement and personal growth. The results highlight the value of literature as a holistic resource in language education, capable of fostering both communicative skills and reflective thinking.