Challenges in the Teaching and Learning of Tamil Literature at the Secondary School Level and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract

Tamil literature is an important cultural heritage of the Tamil community and plays a key role in shaping identity, moral values and critical thought among young learners. In Malaysian secondary schools, Tamil literature introduces students to literary works with aesthetic and educational value. However, its teaching and learning continue to face several challenges, including students' low interest, difficulty understanding classical Tamil, teacher-centred instruction, limited creative teaching aids and insufficient literary activities beyond the classroom. This compact paper identifies the major challenges in the teaching and learning of Tamil literature and proposes improvement strategies through the Tamil Literature Pedagogical Transformation (TPKT) Model. The model, grounded in constructivist theory, emphasises multimedia integration, student autonomy, scaffolding, creative pedagogy and wider support from schools, families and communities. These strategies are expected to transform Tamil literature from a static academic subject into a dynamic learning experience that strengthens cultural identity and student engagement.