LitSIG Reading Group

LitSIG Reading Group

The IATEFL Literature Special Interest Group (LitSIG) Reading Group is a welcoming space for our community to come together through a shared love of literature. Each session invites participants to read selected literary texts and then meet online to explore, discuss, and exchange ideas about them.

Our Reading Group is not a lecture or a traditional webinar. It is a participatory experience in which different interpretations and perspectives are valued. Sessions are facilitated by members of the LitSIG community, who introduce the selected works, encourage conversation, and provide prompts to help participants explore the texts together. We may also invite a special guest to join the Reading Group, bringing their own perspective, experience, or expertise to the discussion and enriching the conversation with participants. 

Through short stories, poetry, novels, and other literary forms, we consider not only the texts themselves but also the themes, voices, cultures, and experiences they bring to our attention. The discussions can also inspire new ways of thinking about how literature might be approached in language teaching and learning.

Above all, the Reading Group is about reading, sharing, and connecting. Whether you are an experienced literature teacher or simply enjoy reading and discussing literary texts, you are welcome to join the conversation and become part of our international community of readers.

What is a Reading Group?

A reading group is a small community of people who come together regularly to read and discuss a shared text , a novel, short stories, poetry, or other literary work. Rather than reading alone, members bring their interpretations and reactions to a live discussion, deepening understanding of the text and building connection around a shared love of literature. 

Why it matters for LitSIG?

As IATEFL's Literature Special Interest Group, LitSIG exists to support teachers who believe in the power of literature in language learning. A reading group turns that belief into practice: it gives members across different countries a recurring space to engage in close reading and discussion, model that experience for their own students, and stay connected between conferences.