scholarly journals Intercultural Competence in ELT Contexts: A Study of EFL Teachers’ Perceptions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhak Bouslama ◽  
Fawzia Bouhass Benaissi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Cultural Mediators

Intercultural competence (IC) has been promoted by many educationalists as the most exalted type of competence in modern foreign language teaching (FLT). Among the difficulties to incorporate IC into FLT can be due to the fact that teachers may not have sufficient knowledge on the concept. To test this hypothesis, we attempt to answer the following question: how do Algerian English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers perceive the concepts of culture and IC as well as the objectives of the intercultural approach (ICA) in English language teaching (ELT) contexts? The present study proceeds to analyze teachers’ knowledge, perceptions and understanding of the concepts of culture, IC and the ICA and seeks to identify any potential deficiencies that may hinder effective IC teaching. The main aim of the study is then to help teacher trainers establish training programs that address more efficiently targeted teachers’ needs with regard to IC teaching. This paper will hopefully assist in improving the implementation of IC into FLT classrooms. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight teachers and then analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that many EFL teachers displayed a lack of theoretical understanding concerning the ICA and its objectives, which may well impact negatively on their IC teaching practices. Teacher educators therefore need to focus more on updating EFL teachers’ on both the theoretical and practical levels that learners are today expected to grow as cultural mediators equipped with a set of skills rather than as native-like proficient language users.

scholarly journals Existing EFL Pedagogies in Thai Higher Education: Views from Thai University Lecturers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusop Boonsuk ◽  
Eric A. Ambele
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Research Question ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Changing Roles ◽  
University Lecturers

Since English is extensively used among linguacultural users to access life opportunities, it has become a requisite foreign language in the Thai educational system. To prepare Thai learners for this new changing role of English and reduce English Language Teaching dependency on the native English variety, this study aimed to explore English lecturers’ voices in Thai universities on existing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pedagogies at the Thai tertiary level with the research question: how do English lecturers in Thai universities perceive EFL in Thai universities? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 Thai EFL university lecturers selected from ten different universities in Thailand and analyzed using content analysis. The finding reveals that EFL-oriented pedagogy plays a dominant role in English language teaching (ELT) education in Thai classrooms, illustrating three main salient themes from the study: (1) EFL pedagogies; (2) EFL materials; and (3) EFL curriculums. The result shows that the pedagogy is less responsive in the changing roles of English use and its widespread worldwide, especially among diverse linguacultural interlocutors. Hence, English university lecturers should reconsider, adjust, and made more practical glocal changes in English language teaching for the purpose of language teaching, language planning and predicting language change.

scholarly journals Integrated Components of Intercultural Competence in English Language Teaching at College: Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80
Author(s):  
Muh Hesan ◽  
Slamet Setiawan ◽  
Ahmad Munir
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
College Level ◽  
Intercultural Integration

In this global world, foreign language teaching has been demanded to be intercultural teaching which means that cultural teaching should be integrated in language teaching as well as language competence, in English language teaching for instance. On the ground that the importance of foreign language teaching and learning is largely for purpose of international communication, and intercultural knowledge has crucial role in successful communication. Therefore, this paper reports on a qualitative case study which investigates two English teachers’ practice of integrating intercultural competence in English language teaching at college level. Specifically, this paper provides analysis of intercultural components embedded in teachers’ practice of intercultural integration in teaching English. The data were collected through observation, and unstructured observational notes were employed. The observational data were analysed following sub-processes, are familiarizing, reducing, identifying and classifying, interpreting, and presenting. The result indicates that both English teachers’ understand the objective of English language teaching that teaching language is also teaching the culture as it is showed in their teaching process an intercultural integration, which includes some intercultural components such as attitudes, knowledge, and skills.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Teaching and Development of Language skills :A Pakistani Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Syeda Naureen Mumtaz ◽  
◽  
Dr.Uzma Quraishi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
English As Foreign Language

The study was attempted to explore as to what extent English language teaching in Pakistan has been able to develop language skills among the target learners. The researcher intended to evaluate the limit to which the textbook helps in generating competence of all four integrated skills, especially as laid down in the standards of the National Curriculum (2006). The purpose of this study was to create pragmatic awareness among learners, teachers and educational professionals, working in the field of English as Foreign Language. By method , it was a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were the tools used to elicit the data. The participants of this research were selected from public sector schools and organizations including, teachers, policymakers, curriculum developers, subject specialists, and students to examine the effectiveness of grade VIII’s English language textbook on students’ performance . For data analysis themes were developed, coded and summarized in a descriptive mode. The findings of this study reflected that the relevant textbook does not cater to the target learners’ future academic and professional language needs. As a solution to the problems while teaching and learning English as foreign language in Pakistan; this study also offered a model to be followed by the policy makers and practitioners in order to make the existing English language textbook more effectives in terms of foreign language teaching and learning and language skill development.

scholarly journals English Language Teaching in KSA in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Positive Outcomes

2021 ◽  
pp. 147-159
Author(s):  
Reem A. Al-Samiri
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
E Learning

The pandemic of 2020 was a watershed moment for all educators worldwide as schools and universities were forced to close their doors to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Thus, a new movement towards widespread e-learning emerged with unknown consequences for learners and educators alike. The situation in Saudi Arabia was no exception. The purpose of this study is to explore how English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning at the tertiary level in Saudi Arabia was impacted negatively and positively by the move to online learning. It reviews research published since the onset of the pandemic, with a specific focus on English language teaching at Saudi universities, to analyze the challenges faced by Saudi EFL teachers and learners since the shift to e-learning. One of the biggest challenges observed was students’ lack of motivation, which upon further review was found to be linked to other contributing factors, such as technological issues, inapt learning environments, and students’ mental health. This paper also examines the unforeseen positive outcomes resulting from the digital transformation, including the benefits of the flexibility of place and time and promotion of particular language skills. The current research synthesis will help contribute to the knowledge of online English teaching in the Saudi context.

scholarly journals Perceptions of EFL teachers towards using intercultural approach in ELT

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Arjun Singh Negi
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Content Selection ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Phenomenological Research Design

Teaching English has shifted from teaching literature to teaching language in cultural contexts. Teaching English in a cultural context improves intercultural competence but also needs to incorporate the local culture of the learners to enhance awareness and eliminate ethnocentricism. Intercultural approach tries to develop intercultural competence in the learners. Intercultural competence means following one's own culture and respecting others' cultural viewpoints. I have used phenomenological research design to find out perceptions of EFL teachers towards using intercultural approach in English language teaching. The finding indicates the need of practicing intercultural approach in English language teaching though the implementation is not quite easy. This research has also indicated that there is the hegemony of western culture in the course development and content selection. Still there are many problems in promoting local cultures and developing intercultural competence. To implement intercultural approach successfully, there should be radical changes in policy level, practice level, and pedagogical level, for the policy making, course development, content selection, classroom delivery and even in evaluation scheme.

scholarly journals Existing EFL Pedagogies in Thai Higher Education: Views from Thai University Lecturers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-141
Author(s):  
Yusop Boonsuk ◽  
Eric A. Ambele
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Research Question ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Changing Roles ◽  
University Lecturers

Since English is extensively used among linguacultural users to access life opportunities, it has become a requisite foreign language in the Thai educational system. To prepare Thai learners for this new changing role of English and reduce English Language Teaching dependency on the native English variety, this study aimed to explore English lecturers’ voices in Thai universities on existing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pedagogies at the Thai tertiary level with the research question: how do English lecturers in Thai universities perceive EFL in Thai universities? Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 Thai EFL university lecturers selected from ten different universities in Thailand and analyzed using content analysis. The finding reveals that EFL-oriented pedagogy plays a dominant role in English language teaching (ELT) education in Thai classrooms, illustrating three main salient themes from the study: (1) EFL pedagogies; (2) EFL materials; and (3) EFL curriculums. The result shows that the pedagogy is less responsive in the changing roles of English use and its widespread worldwide, especially among diverse linguacultural interlocutors. Hence, English university lecturers should reconsider, adjust, and made more practical glocal changes in English language teaching for the purpose of language teaching, language planning and predicting language change.

scholarly journals A STUDY ON INDONESIAN TEACHERS’ USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 01
Author(s):  
Isry Laila Syathroh ◽  
Bachrudin - Musthafa ◽  
Pupung - Purnawarman
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Educational Tools ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
Teaching Learning

Since 1960, technology has been used as one of educational tools to help teachers in teaching learning process. In the context of foreign language teaching, technology is utilized for various reasons and purposes. A questionnaire was distributed to 150 English as foreign Language (EFL) teachers in West Java to investigate the use of technology in their EFL classroom. Specifically, this paper reports the type of technology which teachers usually use in teaching English and also elaborate the reasons why teachers apply technology in their classrooms. Finally, this paper explores teachers’ attitudes on the use of technology in language teaching.

scholarly journals Culture and complexity through English as a lingua franca: rethinking competences and pedagogy in ELT

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Baker
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Language Pedagogy ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Meaningful Category

AbstractEnglish as a lingua franca (ELF) research highlights the complexity and fluidity of culture in intercultural communication through English. ELF users draw on, construct, and move between global, national, and local orientations towards cultural characterisations. Thus, the relationship between language and culture is best approached as situated and emergent. However, this has challenged previous representations of culture, particularly those centred predominantly on nation states, which are prevalent in English language teaching (ELT) practices and the associated conceptions of communicative and intercultural communicative competence. Two key questions which are then brought to the fore are: how are we to best understand such multifarious characterisations of culture in intercultural communication through ELF and what implications, if any, does this have for ELT and the teaching of culture in language teaching? In relation to the first question, this paper will discuss how complexity theory offers a framework for understanding culture as a constantly changing but nonetheless meaningful category in ELF research, whilst avoiding essentialism and reductionism. This underpins the response to the second question, whereby any formulations of intercultural competence offered as an aim in language pedagogy must also eschew these simplistic and essentialist cultural characterisations. Furthermore, the manner of simplification prevalent in approaches to culture in the ELT language classroom will be critically questioned. It will be argued that such simplification easily leads into essentialist representations of language and culture in ELT and an over representation of “Anglophone cultures.” The paper will conclude with a number of suggestions and examples for how such complex understandings of culture and language through ELF can be meaningfully incorporated into pedagogic practice.

scholarly journals The peace tree in ELT: A problematizing exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Yeraldine Aldana Gutiérrez
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Knowledge Construction ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Situated Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Alternative Reading

The English language teaching (ELT) field has undergone transformations regarding its views on knowledge and language. Although instrumental perspectives situate English teachers in a passive, receptive and technical position, their research and pedagogical work displays an interest in extracurricular phenomena about Peace Construction (PC) in ELT. This qualitative exploratory study aimed at unveiling possible connections between PC and ELT in Colombia. Documental revision and semi-structured interviews were applied with 4 English teachers. Findings discuss an organic metaphor as facilitating “teachers’ situated knowledge construction” (Serna, 2018, p. 585). Thus, a critical reflection is developed on how ELT and PC may articulate one another towards an alternative reading on their possible relationality or the reduction of the canonical distance imagined between these two fields, in order to acknowledge their interconnection. Conclusions around the multifaceted transdisciplinary ELT field are presented.

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