THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
A. Please decide how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. Click on the letter that corresponds to your answer using the following key:
A= Agree strongly B= Agree somewhat C= Neither agree nor disagree D= Disagree somewhat E= Disagree strongly
The role of culture in learning and teaching a second language
Teaching culture motivates students. Combining language and culture helps learners to improve their language skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening and speaking). Teaching culture does not contribute to teaching language. Teaching culture raises students' awareness about the use of language in context. One cannot learn a second language without its culture.
The role of culture in English Language Teaching (ELT)
It is more important for students to be able to communicate with native speakers of English than non-native speakers of English. If students are successful in communicating with native speakers of English, they can also successfully communicate with non-native speakers of English. Nonnative speakers of English should learn about both the target language culture and other cultures to communicate successfully in English. It is essential to teach the students the similarities and differences between the native English speaking countries and their own country. Students need to learn English to communicate with other speakers of English. Proper accent and accurate grammar are essential for successful communication among speakers of English. Students do not need to know about the cultures of native speakers of English to communicate successfully in English. Students need to learn English to get a better job. Students need to know about the similarities and differences between their own culture and other cultures. In learning English, the ultimate goal should be reaching native-like proficiency. English has many varieties, but to be practical we should only teach American or British English. Exposing students to non-native varieties of English has a negative impact on students' language learning. Students should be able to speak English fluently and accurately with a native-like pronunciation.
The role of culture in English Language Teaching (ELT) materials
ELT materials should include cultural elements from the students' own culture. ELT materials should include cultural elements from Britainand/or the USA ELT materials should include cultural elements from various countries around the world. ELT materials should include cultural elements not only from the USA or Britain but also from other native English-speaking countries. General subjects such as technology, science, geography should be the focus of language teaching materials instead of cultural elements. Materials should include written or spoken texts produced by native speakers of English. Materials should include written or spoken texts produced by non-native speakers of English. Materials should include written or spoken texts produced by both native and nonnative speakers of English.
NEST native English-speaking teachers and NNEST nonnative English-speaking teachers
NEST should speak English with a British or American accent. NEST must have a Standard English accent. NEST job is to teach students students how to communicate in English. NNEST should speak English with a British or American accent. NNEST must have a Standard English accent. NNEST must rely on native-speaker models to communicate successfully in English. NNEST job is to prepare language learners for standardized English exams.
B. Rate native English-speaking teachers in terms of the following attributes from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good)
a.) Teaching grammar b.) Teaching pronunciation c.) Teaching students how to communicate in English d.) Teaching target language cultural information e.) Tolerance towards students' mistakes f.) Sensitivity towards students' linguistic and cultural identity g.) Using authentic English h.) Modelling correct usage i.) Awareness of differences between L1 and L2 j.) Awareness of the differences between target language culture and local culture
C. Rate nonnative English-speaking teachers in terms of the following attributes from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good)
a.) Teaching grammar b.) Teaching pronunciation c.) Teaching students how to communicate in English d.) Teaching target language cultural information e.) Tolerance towards students' mistakes f.) Sensitivity towards students' linguistic and cultural identity g.) Using authentic English h.) Modelling correct usage i.) Awareness of differences between L1 and L2 j.) Awareness of the differences between target language culture and local culture
D. Indicate how important the following elements are in communication between native-and nonnative-speaker interactions
a.) gestures b.) vocabulary c.) accent d.) facial expressions e.) precise use of grammar f.) establishing one's own identity g.) knowing about the target language culture h.) use of communication strategies i.) appropriate use of the language according to native speaker norms
E. Indicate how important the following elements are in communication between nonnative-and nonnative-speaker interactions
a.) gestures b.) vocabulary c.) accent d.) facial expressions e.) precise use of grammar f.) establishing one's own identity g.) knowing about the target language culture h.) use of communication strategies i.) appropriate use of the language according to native speaker norms