scholarly journals A visual semiotic analysis of multicultural values in an Indonesian English textbook

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Filza Isnaini ◽  
Budi Setyono ◽  
Sugeng Ariyanto
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Visual Images ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Vocational High School ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
High School English ◽  
Intercultural Communication Competence ◽  
English Textbooks

In the context of the role of culture in language learning, many textbook analysts have so far investigated the representations of cultures in EFL textbooks. Most of the previous findings on the study of culture indicate that EFL textbooks contain more about the cultures of inner circle countries compared to the expanding and outer circle countries. In Indonesia, this area of cultural issues in English textbooks appears to be underexplored. To narrow the gap, this study using the visual semiotic theory of Barthes (1977) examined the multicultural values represented in an Indonesian vocational high school English textbook through the visual images in the textbook. This study shows that there are four categories of multicultural values represented in the EFL textbook: respecting other people’s tradition, appreciating other people’s perspectives, appreciating other people’s cultural products, and appreciating women’s equal rights. These insights give students opportunities to enhance their intercultural communication competence (ICC) by appreciating cultural diversity and accepting racial and religious differences around them.

scholarly journals Textbooks as Resources for Education for Sustainable Development: A Content Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-114
Author(s):  
Zhila Mohammadnia ◽  
Farzane Deliery Moghadam
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Action Program ◽  
Textbook Series ◽  
Global Action ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
Earth Charter

Abstract If we intend to successfully integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the general educational programs, it is important to utilize available methods and resources. This paper argues that English Language Learning textbooks in Iran have the potential to be useful resources and a viable springboard for the implementation of ESD. For this purpose, the present study explores the content of English textbook series developed by Iranian authors through the lenses of ESD. The framework for analysis was based on UNESCO’s Earth Charter and the Roadmap for Implementing the Global Action Program on ESD. The findings reveal that the themes of sustainability are present in these English textbooks to a good extent. However, the results suggest that there must be a more even distribution of such themes throughout the series. Also, the role of the teacher as a facilitator in developing discussions around such themes is highlighted.

高等学校英語検定教科書が扱う文化題材の考察 －異文化理解の観点から－ • The Analysis of Cultural Issues in Japanese High School English Textbooks: From the Perspective of Intercultural Understanding

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Kouki Ookawa
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Intercultural Understanding ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
High School English ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
Asian People ◽  
Cultural Components

Cultural understanding is one main objective in teaching English at Japanese high schools, as suggested by the Ministry of Education (MEXT). Four cultural components, in twelve English textbooks, were examined: variety of categories, areas where English was used, the purposes of the materials, and the quality of the content. The result of this research indicates that these materials cover tangible contents such as places and buildings and intangible ideas such as certain beliefs and personal views. American and Japanese topics were frequently used, while the number of lessons related to countries where English is used as the second language was very small. These findings suggest that it is necessary to increase not only the content concerned with those countries but also with Asian nations such as Korea, China, and Taiwan since many students will have chances to communicate with these Asian people in English in the future. 文化理解教育は文部科学省が作成した学習指導要領の外国語科の指導目標の1つであり、英語教科書を通じて学習する過程で大変重要である。本論では12の高校英語教科書に掲載されている文化的な素材を、カテゴリー、英語が使われる地域、題材の意図、内容の質的観点から調査した。研究結果は、教材の内容は場所や建物などの具体的なものから、信条や個人的な考え方などの抽象的な概念まで、様々な種類の題材を扱っていることを明らかにした。アメリカと日本の文化は多くのレッスンにおいて頻繁に扱われていたが、インドやシンガポールなど英語が公用語の1つとなっている国についての文化紹介の頻度は少なかった。これらの調査結果から筆者は、このような扱われる頻度の少ない国々についての題材を増やすだけでなく、韓国、中国、台湾などの題材を増やす必要があることを提案する。なぜなら多くの学生が近い将来、それらのアジアの国々の人々と英語でコミュニケーションをする可能性が高いからである。

scholarly journals Analyzing Cultural Issues in High School English Textbooks in Japan

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Kouki Ookawa
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Intercultural Understanding ◽  
High School English ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Education Culture

<p>It cannot be denied that intercultural understanding is crucial in the process of learning English at elementary school, junior high school, high school, and so on. This paper analyzes the high school English textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (henceforth, MEXT) in Japan from the perspective of intercultural understanding. It elucidates the types of the articles, the countries treated in the articles, and the purposes of the materials for cultural understanding. Then it discusses the characteristics of the cultural materials presented in the high school English textbooks. The result of the research shows the materials contain various kinds of categories, many materials concerning English-speaking countries. However, an important fact is that there is still too much focus on Japan and America. Finally, the paper suggests the future direction of the materials in the textbooks in order to facilitate the better intercultural understanding in the global world.</p>

scholarly journals TEACHERS’ REFLECTIONS ON THE VISUAL RESOURCES IN ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS FOR VIETNAMESE LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 266
Author(s):  
Thao Vu ◽  
Yusnita Febrianti
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Textbook Series ◽  
Visual Background ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
Depth Interviews

The prominent role of visual resources in language classrooms has long been advocated, as many argued that images could go beyond providing students with a visual background of the context or arousing motivation (Unsworth & Ngo, 2014). This article explores the roles of the visual resources drawn from an English textbook series used in Vietnamese schools, and the teachers’ reflections on their use of those visuals in practice. A qualitative approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews with teachers, along with an analysis of the visual resources using Kress and Van Leeuwen’s (1996, 2006) framework of grammar of visual design. The findings show that the theoretical perspective resonates with the teachers’ reflection in using visual resources in teaching and learning activities. The findings confirmed the importance of visuals in teachers’ practices, but also highlighted the limitations of some images as useful resources for classroom learning. It was suggested that more attention be given to the multimodal nature of the text, and their significant contribution to meaningful learning activities. The selection of images in language textbooks should be more strategically and theoretically driven in order to prepare language-learning students with the ability to negotiate meanings across semiotic modes.

Asiana Airlines Flight 214

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Chow ◽  
Stephen Yortsos ◽  
Najmedin Meshkati
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Aviation Safety ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Flight Crew ◽  
Pilot Performance ◽  
Engineering Designs ◽  
Flight Deck

This article focuses on a major human factors–related issue that includes the undeniable role of cultural factors and cockpit automation and their serious impact on flight crew performance, communication, and aviation safety. The report concentrates on the flight crew performance of the Boeing 777–Asiana Airlines Flight 214 accident, by exploring issues concerning mode confusion and autothrottle systems. It also further reviews the vital role of cultural factors in aviation safety and provides a brief overview of past, related accidents. Automation progressions have been created in an attempt to design an error-free flight deck. However, to do that, the pilot must still thoroughly understand every component of the flight deck – most importantly, the automation. Otherwise, if pilots are not completely competent in terms of their automation, the slightest errors can lead to fatal accidents. As seen in the case of Asiana Flight 214, even though engineering designs and pilot training have greatly evolved over the years, there are many cultural, design, and communication factors that affect pilot performance. It is concluded that aviation systems designers, in cooperation with pilots and regulatory bodies, should lead the strategic effort of systematically addressing the serious issues of cockpit automation, human factors, and cultural issues, including their interactions, which will certainly lead to better solutions for safer flights.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

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