Abstract
The
goal of this study is to determine how EFL students at the university level
understand English poetry. The participants in this study are 46 students from
Taibah University Alula Campos' Languages and Translation Department for the
2019-2020 academic year. To collect data about the study, the researchers used
quizzes and written exams. This paper examines a number of challenges that
students confront when taking quizzes or assessments on English poetry
comprehension. The study shows that the
students do not know how to define literature or classify its major genres
using complete sentences. Neither do they distinguish the definition of poetry
or a poem from the characteristics of a poem or the basic elements of a
poem. Another common error students make
when submitting their coursework is failing to employ proper formatting and
literary language. Thus, this paper investigates these problems and analyzes
the data acquired from their answers and assignments and finally, the
researchers will give recommendations to correct students' problems and avoid
them as soon as possible.
Key words:
Poetry; EFL; Arab learners; University Level;
Literary Genres.
