Teaching Literature Today. Interview with a teacher.

Today I speak with Victor Irun, professor in an institute in the center of Madrid, where he teaches ESO and Baccalaureate students about the teaching literature today. With more than 20 long years of experience teaching literature, I want thank you for the time you have dedicated to answering these questions. I also thank you frankness and passion (that I know first hand) with whom he talks about literature and describes the teaching panorama in general and this subject in particular.

Interview

1. Literature teacher by vocation?

By vocation… It sounds like too religious language to me. It just seemed like a possible beautiful trade - then, not now- that adapted to my dreams.

2. What differences have you seen in the teaching of literature in your years of experience?

Literature has been cornered -so much regarding the language (syntax, especially in certain departments) as, above all, in the study plans that have been eliminating the teaching load of the Humanities in general. A neoliberal, false, alienating conception: a lot of English, technologies ... Little thought.

3. What do your students like most and least? And what do you like most and least to teach yourself?

To the students, it depends. But every time I find less those who like the history of literature. (Sometimes my colleagues explain it fatally, without passion, love ...). I am more passionate about contemporary literature, but I love other times.

4. What would you like to be able to improve or what are you missing in the teaching of literature? Study plans, methodology, interest?

Everything. But above all thatthat the study plans had a humanistic interest that now they don't have. That society was less competitive, quantitative ... We are rude children.

5. What was the first book or author that struck you and why?

My first major book is a abridged edition of Don Quixote with prints by Doré. But I read "books by my older brothers." From Emile Zola to Galdós, The Donkey Non, by José María Sánchez-Silva or Sven Hassel.

6. Who's your favorite writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.

I have no "favorite writers," and I think the more you read, the further that question is. Poets: many, Part 27, Cernuda, Lorca ... Before: Ax, Max Aub. So many, so many ... It is impossible to say this or that.

7. What character in a book would you have liked to meet?

I would have liked to meet Nazarínby Galdós, for example.

8. Your favorite genres?

Genders: all. I read poetry, novels ... Even less theater, but I go to see it a lot.

9. What are you reading now?

I'm reading Light of youth, by a German, Ralf Rothmann -novel- and a classic of the XX: Zero and infinity, by Arthur Koestler. And some more.

10. And finally, what do you find most satisfying about teaching literature?

What satisfies me the most about teaching literature are the days my students let me do it, the few days they attendThey are not studying English or biology, when they simply lower their level of noise and fury (to put it with Faulkner).