Teaching English literary studies online, asynchronously as an inclusive strategy

When we started teaching English in the university context, perhaps none of us expected to be teaching it online: in hybrid, hyflex, or asynchronous modes. But by the 2020s, this is where we find ourselves. Coming from a reading-rich discipline where classroom reading, often interpreting collectively, remains the core practice, many English teachers may have felt quite unprepared for what has happened next. This paper presents an investigation of teaching English in the asynchronous mode. It offers some reflections on ours and students’ experiences of teaching and learning English asynchronously. It provides evidence for how we might best respond to student needs for flexibility, while retaining our commitment to the core skills and practices of English Literary Studies.