PROMOTING STUDENTS LITERARY INTERESTS AS MEANS OF DEVELOPING STUDENTS' READING COMPETENCE

The article presents the results obtained from the study of learners' literary interests and the principles of developing the textbooks and teaching/learning materials for Grade 9. Literary interests are defined as a specific attitude to fiction, and it is one of the kinds of mental interests closely connected with the personality's thinking, imagination, memory. The study pays special attention to identifying the learners' attitude towards literary works and folklore materials included in the teaching/learning aids. In order to promote reading competence one of the prerequisites is finding out he learners' literary interests and their purposeful advancement by choosing content of learning in accordance with the requirements of the teaching standard. Work with literary texts affords an opportunity for the learners not only to get acquainted with the universal human values but also to improve their knowledge and skills necessary for their successful life.