As the world becomes more interconnected, learning a foreign language in the associated cultural context proves to be more efficient and effective. EFL （English as a Foreign Language） Teachers are sparing no efforts...As the world becomes more interconnected, learning a foreign language in the associated cultural context proves to be more efficient and effective. EFL （English as a Foreign Language） Teachers are sparing no efforts to raise students＇ awareness and understanding of the culture and to help students become interculturally competent. On the basis of thorough literature review on cultural study, this paper probes into theoretical analysis and strategic approaches of cultural learning in EFL classes. The extensive strategies are discussed and presented in the paper so as for more confidence and capabilities from practitioners incorporating sufficient cultural knowledge and understanding into successful EFL classroom.展开更多
We live in a multicultural world. As a result, we often have to deal with people from a different culture. This is not easy since we may have very different ways of thinking and doing things from the people we meet. W...We live in a multicultural world. As a result, we often have to deal with people from a different culture. This is not easy since we may have very different ways of thinking and doing things from the people we meet. What is considered good in our culture may mean opposite somewhere else. The understanding of cultural distinctions is very crucial in the business world. The businessmen/women who have sufficient cultural knowledge are more likely to be successful in building relationship with their business counterparts than those who do not. This is because the ones who possess such precious knowledge tend to be more adept at avoiding misunderstanding and confusion. Considering the significant contribution of understanding cultural differences to successful business endeavor, the teachers of Business English need to equip their students with knowledge and strategies that they can use to cope with cultural diversity. In this paper, the writer discusses some activities that can be used to develop students＇ intercultural awareness.展开更多
The aim of the paper is to present various aspects of the phenomenon of stereotyping in the context of FL （foreign language） learning and teaching and to discuss practical solutions to be used in a FL classroom to t...The aim of the paper is to present various aspects of the phenomenon of stereotyping in the context of FL （foreign language） learning and teaching and to discuss practical solutions to be used in a FL classroom to teach the worm about the worm by questioning the stereotypes learners have of other nations and languages. This paper is an attempt to present some ideas of FL teachers＇ role in developing students＇ socio-cultural competence with the aim of raising their cross-cultural awareness and questioning the stereotypes students bring into a FL classroom. The methodology used was an analysis of fragment of tape scripts from listening comprehension activities from a course book preparing Polish secondary students for the school leaving exam. The topics discussed concern opinions about attitudes towards and judgments of various cultural aspects, be it drinking tea or discussing the weather, impressions people have about other nations, or languages people speak.展开更多
With growing numbers of Chinese students entering Western universities, cultural understanding is of increasing importance, not least in higher education. Without a good understanding of the academic conventions of We...With growing numbers of Chinese students entering Western universities, cultural understanding is of increasing importance, not least in higher education. Without a good understanding of the academic conventions of Western universities, Chinese students, and undergraduates in particular, are at a disadvantage in the multi-cultural classroom. Lack of knowledge of structural influences on higher education, including teacher-student relations, reference management practices, and assessment procedures, are likely to lead to failure and disappointment. This paper, which is based on writing workshops conducted at Beijing University and in Sweden （Kristianstad University and Linnaeus University） in 2014, focuses primarily on writing practices and conventions because written texts are the main means of assessment in higher education. Addressing four key problems encountered by Chinese undergraduate writers in Western universities, namely lack of familiarity with the structure of academic papers, lack of focus on relevant issues, copying and pasting without giving proper reference, and inadequate understanding and mastery of the conventions of academic English, this paper argues for greater awareness of cultural differences between the Chinese and Western systems of education. Not until this has been achieved can Chinese students realize their full potential at Western universities.展开更多
Despite its potential in foreign language education, the cross-lingual strategy has been marginalized and stigmatized in many EFL contexts including language education in private language schools of Iran. This study a...Despite its potential in foreign language education, the cross-lingual strategy has been marginalized and stigmatized in many EFL contexts including language education in private language schools of Iran. This study aims to uncover the facilitative role of the cross-lingual strategy in foreign language instruction by theorizing experienced language teachers＇ practice. To this end, some experienced teachers were selected in line with the sampling procedures of Grounded Theory from famous English language institutes of Tehran, the capital city of lran. Iterative data collection and analysis revealed that first language use can be differentiated based on learners＇ level of proficiency. For the beginners, it can be used to present classroom management rules, provide learners with the necessary classroom language and establish rapport. Similarly, at intermediate level LI can be used to check mastery over the teaching points, give vocabulary equivalents, and explain writing rules. As for advanced learners, it can be used to explain the subtleties of grammar and provide learners with ideas to participate in classroom discussion and text processing.展开更多
文摘As the world becomes more interconnected, learning a foreign language in the associated cultural context proves to be more efficient and effective. EFL （English as a Foreign Language） Teachers are sparing no efforts to raise students＇ awareness and understanding of the culture and to help students become interculturally competent. On the basis of thorough literature review on cultural study, this paper probes into theoretical analysis and strategic approaches of cultural learning in EFL classes. The extensive strategies are discussed and presented in the paper so as for more confidence and capabilities from practitioners incorporating sufficient cultural knowledge and understanding into successful EFL classroom.
文摘We live in a multicultural world. As a result, we often have to deal with people from a different culture. This is not easy since we may have very different ways of thinking and doing things from the people we meet. What is considered good in our culture may mean opposite somewhere else. The understanding of cultural distinctions is very crucial in the business world. The businessmen/women who have sufficient cultural knowledge are more likely to be successful in building relationship with their business counterparts than those who do not. This is because the ones who possess such precious knowledge tend to be more adept at avoiding misunderstanding and confusion. Considering the significant contribution of understanding cultural differences to successful business endeavor, the teachers of Business English need to equip their students with knowledge and strategies that they can use to cope with cultural diversity. In this paper, the writer discusses some activities that can be used to develop students＇ intercultural awareness.
文摘The aim of the paper is to present various aspects of the phenomenon of stereotyping in the context of FL （foreign language） learning and teaching and to discuss practical solutions to be used in a FL classroom to teach the worm about the worm by questioning the stereotypes learners have of other nations and languages. This paper is an attempt to present some ideas of FL teachers＇ role in developing students＇ socio-cultural competence with the aim of raising their cross-cultural awareness and questioning the stereotypes students bring into a FL classroom. The methodology used was an analysis of fragment of tape scripts from listening comprehension activities from a course book preparing Polish secondary students for the school leaving exam. The topics discussed concern opinions about attitudes towards and judgments of various cultural aspects, be it drinking tea or discussing the weather, impressions people have about other nations, or languages people speak.
文摘With growing numbers of Chinese students entering Western universities, cultural understanding is of increasing importance, not least in higher education. Without a good understanding of the academic conventions of Western universities, Chinese students, and undergraduates in particular, are at a disadvantage in the multi-cultural classroom. Lack of knowledge of structural influences on higher education, including teacher-student relations, reference management practices, and assessment procedures, are likely to lead to failure and disappointment. This paper, which is based on writing workshops conducted at Beijing University and in Sweden （Kristianstad University and Linnaeus University） in 2014, focuses primarily on writing practices and conventions because written texts are the main means of assessment in higher education. Addressing four key problems encountered by Chinese undergraduate writers in Western universities, namely lack of familiarity with the structure of academic papers, lack of focus on relevant issues, copying and pasting without giving proper reference, and inadequate understanding and mastery of the conventions of academic English, this paper argues for greater awareness of cultural differences between the Chinese and Western systems of education. Not until this has been achieved can Chinese students realize their full potential at Western universities.
文摘Despite its potential in foreign language education, the cross-lingual strategy has been marginalized and stigmatized in many EFL contexts including language education in private language schools of Iran. This study aims to uncover the facilitative role of the cross-lingual strategy in foreign language instruction by theorizing experienced language teachers＇ practice. To this end, some experienced teachers were selected in line with the sampling procedures of Grounded Theory from famous English language institutes of Tehran, the capital city of lran. Iterative data collection and analysis revealed that first language use can be differentiated based on learners＇ level of proficiency. For the beginners, it can be used to present classroom management rules, provide learners with the necessary classroom language and establish rapport. Similarly, at intermediate level LI can be used to check mastery over the teaching points, give vocabulary equivalents, and explain writing rules. As for advanced learners, it can be used to explain the subtleties of grammar and provide learners with ideas to participate in classroom discussion and text processing.
