정승각의 동화 『까막나라에서 온 삽사리』에 등장하는 ‘불개’와 ‘삽사리’가 지니고 있는 상징의 의미를 구명하는 것이 본 논고의 연구목적이다. 이를 위하여, 한․일의 칠석형 <나무꾼과 선녀 이야기>에 등장하는 ‘개’의 역할과 그 ‘개’의 소유자를 밝힌 후, 고구려의 덕흥리 고분벽화의 「견우직녀도」의 ‘개’와 밤하늘에 빛나는 별자리의 ‘개’ 그리고 한국의 민담에 등장하는 ‘불개’와 대응하여 고찰해 보고자 한다. 일본의 구비 <날개옷 설화>에 등장하는 ‘개’에는 ‘직녀의 개’와 ‘견우의 개’도 있지만, 그 ‘개’가 누구의 ‘개’이든 상관없이 견우의 승천에 직․ 간접적인 도움을 주고 있는 것이다. ‘견우의 개’는 흰색, 검은색, 붉은색으로 다양하게 나타나지만, ‘직녀의 개’는 어떤 색깔인지 알 수 없는 것 이다. 한국 <나무꾼과 선녀 이야기>에 등장하는 ‘개’는 모두 ‘직녀의 개’일 뿐이다. 이 ‘직녀의 개’는 원래 견우의 승천에 도움을 주는 기능을 가지고 있었다고 볼 수 있지만, 견우가 하늘에서 지상으로 함께 내려온 ‘개’ 의 꼬리를 놓쳐서 남편이 승천을 할 수 없는 이야기만 있기 때문에, 직녀의 개가 남편의 승천에 도움을 주었다고는 할 수 없는 것이다. ‘직녀의 개’는 청색과 검은색으로 나타나는 것이다. 또한 이 ‘직녀의 개’는 ‘청삽사리 (청 삽살개)’와 ‘까막 (까만) 강아지’, ‘쬐그만 강아지’로 각각 다르게도 불리지만, 이 ‘까막 (까만) 강아지’와 ‘쬐그만 강아지’는 강아지의 성장 과정에 따른 ‘청삽사리’의 또 다른 이름에 불과한 것이다. ‘불개’ 민담의 ‘불개’와 동화 속의 ‘불개’는 고대인들의 의식 속에서 일식과 월식을 일으키게 하는 ‘시리우스- 천랑성’의 상징인 것이다, <날개옷 설화>의 ‘직녀의 개’는 은하수를 건너편 하늘에 있는 작은개 별자리 (프로키온/남하)의 상징으로, 「견우직녀도」의 ‘검은 개 모양의 짐승’과 동화 속의 ‘청삽사리’와 대응하는 것이다. 일본 <날개옷 설화>의 ‘견우의 개’는 은하수를 건너가기 전에 있는 ‘큰개자리 (시리우스/천랑 성)’,이고, 「견우직녀도」의 ‘성성지상’과 동화 속의 ‘황삽사리’와 대응하는 것이다. 「견우직녀도」의 ‘검은 개 모양의 짐승’은 한국 <나무꾼과 선녀 이야 기>의 ‘청삽사리’, ‘쬐그만 강아지’, ‘까막 강아지’와 대응되기 때문에, 이 ‘검은 개 모양의 짐승’을 일본의 ‘구로 (黑)’의 번역어인 ‘검둥개’나 ‘검둥 이’로 부르기보다는 ‘청삽사리’나 ‘쬐그만 강아지’ 또는 ‘까막 강아지’로 부르는 것이 바람직한 것이다. 동화 속의 ‘불개’와 ‘삽사리’는 일제 강점기에 채록된 민담에 의거하여 창작되었을지는 모르지만, 그 원천 소스 (source)는 고구려의 덕흥리 고분벽화로 대변되는 고구려의 칠석전설과 칠석형 구비 <나무꾼과 선녀> 이야기일 개연성이 많은 것이다.

Effects of primary English education using children’s literature have been extensively examined by many researchers in Korea during the past about two decades. This study aims to delineate the research domain by employing a meta-analysis of 31 primary studies that have been published in Korean refereed journals by February 2017. From the primary studies, 41 effects sizes were calculated based on the contrast of the means of two groups and 152 pre-to-post effect sizes based on the contrast of pretest and posttest scores. The results indicate that primary English education using children’s literature had overall a medium-sized effect (g = .60), with its effect being greater in the affective domain (g = .93) than in the cognitive domain (g = .37). More specifically, it was found that introducing children’s literature in the elementary English classrooms would bring about positive learning effects in the areas of vocabulary and reading and would be effective to develop positive learner interest and attitudes toward English learning. The results and their implications are further discussed.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of writing workshop in a primary EFL context using children’s literature featuring social problems as the language input for learners. To accomplish the objective, two research questions were set up: 1) What aspects are shown in the development of primary EFL learners’ literacy skills through writing workshop using children’s literature? 2) What are some impacts in promoting social sensitivity through writing workshop using children’s literature featuring social problems? The data collected from diverse sources including worksheets, surveys, teacher’s logs, interviews, and self-reflection responses yielded two major findings. The first finding showed that participants learned how to utilize literary texts in their writing. In other words, the text used in the study played a motive for the participants in initiating and developing their writing. The second finding revealed the potential of cultivating social sensitivities of language learners through reading based writing workshop. For example, the participants identified the problematic situation by sympathizing with the characters from the texts, and tried to offer solutions. Also, democratic civic qualities of students were ascertained through the process of writing workshop. Based on the results, educational implications were provided.

The aims of this study were to explore the value of integrated use of the related literary texts and movies through teachers' awareness toward them, and to develop English teaching-learning method using them. Thirty-four primary school teachers who enrolled a graduate course participated in the study. The teachers read a literary text, Because of Winn-Dixie written by Kate DiCamillo, and watched the movie based on the text. Data collected were analyzed through a mixed method which used both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The result of the study emerged in two steps. First, experiences of participating teachers were investigated in terms of understanding literary texts and movies, participants' experience as both English learners and teachers, and the understanding of complementary aspects of a literary text and the movie based on the text. Then, teaching-learning method for English learners were developed. For example, the study suggested how to develop four language skills through integrated use of the literary texts and movies, and provided a list of related literary texts and movies applicable in diverse EFL contexts. Based on the results, the study suggested teachers to apply methods and techniques to other literary texts and movies in the teaching of English in EFL settings.

The autobiographic novel Das verborgene Wort (2001) by a modern german female author, Ulla Hahn (1945-) shows that accepting of literature in one’s early life has both affirmative and dangerous aspects. It has a major influence on establishing the identity of adolescents. They learn strategies for overcoming the reality through literature which is closely related to their reality and possesses a spiritual power. On the other hand, the excessive enthusiasm for literature is responsible for the loss of reality. The protagonist of this novel has these various experiences by book, literature, and language. Not only passionate and engaged reading, but critical and creative reading is also productive for the young protagonist to grow her consciousness. This study observes the process of attempting to overcome the reality through literature language during the childhood and a dynamic function of literature to human life.

This study recommends using children's literature in teacher training programs with the purpose of developing integrated language skills for primary school teachers and teaching methods for their students. First, to accomplish bifold objectives, the study develops three modules: 1) intensive listening through story books, 2) using in class dialogues through role-playing and 3) developing classroom activities. For presenting the examples of the three modules, Junie B., First Grader (at last!), Freckle Juice, and Jake Drake: Teacher's Pet are used. Next, the study presents teachers' perceptions on both using literature for improving their English skills and using literature in their teaching elementary school children. To investigate the possibility of implementing the program, the researcher surveyed 53 teachers participating in the program. The survey results showed teachers' perceptions on children's literature changed in positive ways, and they recognized that children's literature could develop their own English language skills and then would be a good teaching resource for their students. Based on the results, some suggestions were provided for the teachers, educators, and program developers.

T. S. Eliot has been known as a poet and critic for being so serious and moralistic that he might teach his readers. Yet, he published Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats in 1939 for children, especially for his friends. In this sense, this poetry is aimedat amusing children with an allegory of a variety of cats. Usually, the style that children like lies in amusement in form and satirical language in use. Eliot knew it; so it is an interesting task to examine the significance of the old possum, his nickname, from the poetry for children, and the poet hidden behind the nickname. The Old Possum poetry appears to take into account what children like: a poetry collection of amusement and seriousness put together for children using lively rhythms and regular rhymes according to the characteristics of practical cats. The poetry shows a variety of each cat’s characters and habits, which, the poet believes, practically reflect various forms of human life. Above all, Eliot tried to associate practical cats in profound meditation with himself as a thoughtful, yet invisible poet and critic just like the wild, yet shy animal: a metaphor of the old possum in poetry.