scholarly journals Teaching Culture through Language

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2021/1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krisztina Nguyen

One socio-cultural aspect of the Korean language that foreign learners may encounter early is the extensive use of kinship terms in communicative situations. Korean kinship terms are carriers of important cultural information, thus misunderstandings or even breakdowns in communication are likely to happen if one lacks exposure to the cultural conceptualizations of these terms. Following the paradigm shift towards emphasizing intercultural communicative competence development in foreign language classrooms, the present study explores why teaching kinship terms in a Korean language classroom is important. The study presents an overview of the kinship terminological system and its relation to the cultural concepts and value system of Koreans, examines the current teaching situation of kinship terms primarily through language textbooks, and considers specific aspects that may affect the teaching of these terms. The study finds that insufficient attention is given to kinship terms, even though they are one of the most frequently used terms of address and reference. It is proposed that greater emphasis should be given to teaching kinship terms; furthermore, it is suggested that teachers should actively guide students to acquire the essential cultural knowledge about kinship terms.

Author(s):  
Monika Kusiak-Pisowacka

This paper focuses on the issue of developing intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in a higher education context, with a special focus put on teaching advanced foreign language (FL) students. First, the concept of ICC is discussed on the basis of Byram’s (1997) theory, which is still considered the most comprehensive model for describing the principles of developing and assessing intercultural competence in foreign language teaching. Next, a short overview of studies related to teaching ICC conducted by Polish researchers is presented. This is followed by a description of an Intercultural Communication course designed for university students and conducted by the author of the paper. In this report, the theoretical principles, the main aims of the course along with the techniques applied in teaching and evaluating students are discussed. It is hoped that the paper will be a useful contribution to discussions concerning developing ICC and will stimulate further research in this interesting area of education.


Author(s):  
Jesus Garcia Laborda ◽  
Iulia Vecan ◽  
Angela Sauciuc

Language assistants have become an important resource for teachers in bilingual schools in Spain, especially in the Madrid region. Most language assistants come from English-speaking countries, especially from the United States. In their role as language assistants, they are expected to bring and share their knowledge about the cultural aspects and content subjects and, at the same time, they need to share their beliefs and perspectives towards Spain and Spanish schools. Nevertheless, sometimes there is controversy around this topic, as there are obvious differences and similarities between both cultures; one of them being the misconception regarding the type of culture they need to teach students.


Author(s):  
Azamat Akbarov

This chapter presents an empirical study of the intercultural communicative competence of students of Kazakhstani universities. The study results indicate that students should develop their cultural knowledge, intercultural receptivity, communication strategies, intercultural awareness etc. A number of issues related to the formation of intercultural competence in the process of teaching foreign-language communication, taking into account the cultural and mental differences of the native speakers, which is a necessary condition for a successful dialogue of cultures are also discussed. The concept of communicative competence in teaching foreign languages stipulates development of students' knowledge, skills and abilities that enable them to join the ethno-cultural values of the country of the studied language and use the foreign language in situations of intercultural understanding and cognition in practice. Conjunction of such knowledge, skills and abilities constitutes communicative competence. Based on the results of the research, proposals are made for the curriculum and teaching of intercultural communication and methods of developing intercultural communicative competence of students of Kazakhstan universities in a networked environment.


Author(s):  
Mary Masterson

This research study focuses on long-term digital technologies assisted cross-cultural communication as an instructional model. Secondary school foreign language learners of German and English collaborated online with the same age-cohort peers to acquire new cultural knowledge, as well as develop digi-tal technologies skills. Findings revealed that digital technologies facilitated personalised student-led learning through an inquiry-based approach. Results further indicated that the learners had rich opportunities to share their stories and to think critically about themselves and others. Indeed, pupils enriched their understanding of their partner’s culture as well as developing an en-hanced understanding of the influence of culture on behaviour and thinking. The students learned to use digital technologies by creating digital profiles, posting their comments, asking questions, exchanging cultural information, and gaining linguistic and cultural experience of a native speaker in a virtual space. This paper shows that with the purposeful integration of digital tech-nologies in foreign language classrooms opportunities for richer student learning experiences can be promoted.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 50-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenefer Philp ◽  
Susan Duchesne

ABSTRACTThis article explores how learners engage in tasks in the context of language classrooms. We describe engagement as a multidimensional construct that includes cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional dimensions of engagement among second and foreign language learners in the classroom. We discuss key concepts and indicators of engagement in current research on task-based interaction and outline some of the issues in researching engagement in this context.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Mayumi Asaba ◽  
Paul Marlowe

Abstract Educators often speak of creating student-centered classes that increase student involvement, responsibility, and motivation. Peer assessment, if thoughtfully implemented, can help promote these goals while supplementing and increasing the reliability of traditional forms of teacher assessment. This article first outlines reasons why and how peer assessment can be used in a foreign language learning context. Then it explains when and how to use peer assessment successfully in foreign language classrooms. Finally, it introduces six tips to consider when using peer assessment. 学生の授業参加を促し、責任感や動機を高める学習者中心のクラス作りは、しばしば教師たちの話題となる。相互評価を正しく行えば、従来の教師評価の信用性を高めると同時に、学習者中心のクラスを実現することも可能となる。本論では、まず外国語学習でなぜ、どのように相互評価が行われるかを概説する。次に、いつ、どのように効果的に相互評価を行うべきかを説明する。最後に、相互評価の際に留意すべき6点を紹介する。


Author(s):  
Nilsa Becho Sullivan ◽  
Kakali Bhattacharya

The evolution of the use of technology in the foreign language classroom has proven to be a challenge. In this paper, we highlight a study whose purpose is to understand how one retired foreign language educator reflected on the ways in which she integrated different modes of technology in her classroom. In this interview study, the participant discussed how technology has evolved in the span of her twenty-year career as a foreign language educator and how she integrated various technologies as they evolved in her classroom. The researchers employed a modified van Kaam method as defined by Moustakas (1994) to analyze the data collected through phenomenological interviews. The results revealed a complex negotiation process, a thoughtful reflection of advantages and disadvantages of technology integration in foreign language classrooms, and the value of understanding the cyclical nature of technology integration in education.


2020 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Charles O. Nwarukweh

Language is the bearer of human thoughts and reasoning. Culture should become an integral part of teaching and learning foreign languages. Both society and its culture change over time. The language of this culture is being invigorated by new elements. Effective integration will help the teacher professionally present the content of his lesson by selecting appropriate cultural tools that will facilitate teaching and learning.Language and culture are inseparable, so any change in language threatens culture. Because language is a means of preserving the culture of the people, promoting social interaction and unity of both. Use of language means the transfer of people’s culture. Language expresses, preserves, and transmits the entire set of patterns, behaviors, beliefs, traditions, and customs of the thinking patterns of one group of people different from another.It has been repeatedly found that many students who have studied Russian and have visited Russia have differed significantly from those who did not have the opportunity. A foreign language learner also learns the cultural knowledge and skills necessary to be competent in learning a foreign language. Therefore, it is considered necessary to include culture in a foreign language curriculum, as this helps to avoid the stereotypical notion that language is not part of culture.Teaching culture creates awareness of the geographical environment, the historical or political development of a foreign culture, its customs and the literary achievements of its members. The task of the teacher is to stimulate students’ interest in the target culture and to promote the creation of a foreign language class. Love for one’s language is an aspect of cultural consciousness. Everything that a person thinks is expressed in language and embodied in our lives. The main purpose of teaching culture in a foreign language class is to raise students’ awareness and develop their interest in the target culture on their own.


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