Teaching culture in foreign language classes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2617-3921.2022.21-22.373-382Keywords:
intercultural communication, ways of teaching, sociocultural competence, national culture, textbooks, authentic materialAbstract
Contemporary globalized world requires teaching culture of the nation, language of which is studied in foreign language classes. This issue is especially urgent in modern Ukrainian schools. It is believed that in order to develop students’ sociocultural competence national culture should be studied in foreign language classes. In particular, students must be aware of the differences between their native culture, the culture of the studied language, other cultures, besides acquire basic skills for overcoming sociocultural diversities. In determining the key methods for teaching culture it is advisable to make the distinction between the notions “big culture” and “little culture”. “Big culture” includes literature, classical music, architecture, historical figures, geography, core values, views or beliefs, norms of the society, etc., while “little culture” involves people’s everyday thinking and behaviour, customs, preferences, tastes, gestures, use of space, clothing styles, food, hobbies, etc. The study of culture in foreign language classes is ensured by involvement of students in educational activities with application of modern teaching methods, including the use of modern technologies. The school curriculum for teaching a foreign language should include audio and video material based on literature, music, cinema, visual arts, as well as textbooks with texts and tasks dealing with culture. This approach to teaching a foreign language enriches the students’ cultural outlook and contributes to the understanding of the diversity of modern world. Studying a foreign language using authentic material is crucial for the development of students’ communication skills and enables them to understand the customs and way of life of the country of the studies language.
References
Byram M., Gribkova B., Starkey H. Developing the Intercultural Dimension in Language Teaching. Strasbourg : Council of Europe, 2002. URL: http://lrc.cornell.edu/director/intercultural.pdf.
Cunningham S., Moor P., Bygrave J. Cutting Egde. Intermediate. London : Pearson, 2013. 175 p.
Dervin F. Quality in Intercultural Education: the Development of Proteophilic Competence. URL: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=88C2559C5C507DAD772D49F5E280DD86?doi=10.1.1.457.5090&rep=rep1&type=pdf.
Evans V. Upstream Intermediate. Newbury : Express Publishing, 2002. 186 p.
Fabian M. Interdisciplinary approach to cross-language and cross-cultural communication studies. Сучасні дослідження з іноземної філології. 2019. Вип. 17. С. 9–16.
Hamiloglu K., Mendi B. A content analysis related to the cross-cultural/intercultural elements used in EFL coursebooks. Sino-US English Teaching. 2010. Vol. 7. № 1. P. 16–24.
Kominarecova E. Cultural and contextual aspect in language teaching. Сучасні дослідження з іноземної філології. 2005. Вип. 3. С. 464–469.
Kuo M.M., Lai Ch.Ch. Linguistics across Cultures: The Impact of Culture on Second Language Learning. Journal of Foreign Language Instruction. URL: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED496079.pdf.
McKay S.L. Western Culture and the Teaching of English as an International Language. English Teaching Forum. 2004. Vol. 42. № 2. URL: file://F:/sandra%20mckay.htm.
Mendez García M.C. International and intercultural issues in English teaching textbooks: The case of Spain. Intercultural Education. 2005. Vol. 16. № 1. 2005. P. 57–68.
Murphey T. Music and Song. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1992. 151 p.
Peterson B. Cultural intelligence: A guide to working with people from other cultures. Yarmouth, ME : Intercultural Press, Inc., 2004. 241 p.
Peterson E., Coltrane B. Culture in Second Language Teaching. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237500367_Culture_in_Second_Language_Teaching.
Politzer R. Developing Cultural Understanding Through Foreign Language Study. Report of the Fifth Annual Round Table Meeting on Linguistics and Language Teaching / ed. by H.J. Mueller. Washington, D.C. : Georgetown University Press, 1959. P. 99–105.
Stewart E. American cultural patterns: cross cultural perspectives. Yarmouth, Marine : Intercultural press, 1972. 220 p.