Culture awareness in english teaching

Penny*Penny · Post by **Penny*Penny** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:27 am

I'm a would-be English teacher in China. I was wondering the question below and sincerely hope can have your advice about that.

How should we help the students have culture awareness through teaching?

What kind of ideas will come to you when you think of the word "culture"?

And how do you introduce the culture part to your students in your country? Will you focus on the English-speaking countries'cultures or the differences between the English-speaking countries'cultures and your country's own culture or else? ( if you are not a english teacher in China)

Senorita Daniels · Post by **Senorita Daniels** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:31 pm

I think you need to talk about similarities and diferences. Show how all people are alike (focusing on students cultures and those of L2) and say why things are different, not just "they are". And you shouldn't make it sound like a different way is wrong, becasue they think your way is different, not their way.

cnu_chw · Post by **cnu_chw** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:01 am

I'm a future English teacher in China too. I quite agree with Senorita Daniels .

Knowing the culture similarities and differences between the two countries is very important for students who are learning a foreign language. It can make the study easier and interesting. And in my opinion, culture is a very important part in studying a foreign language. Students need to know as much as possible so that it can facilitate their studies of the language. As a language teacher, you should always keep this in mind.

smicky · Post by **smicky** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:19 am

As you mentioned above, I couldn't agree more with your opinion about the similarities and the differences. But I intend to give more similarites concerning about the different cultures. I personally think it's more important because you can give students an authentic feeling about the target language which they are aimed at.

Penny*Penny · Post by **Penny*Penny** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:15 pm

Thanks for your advice. And I do agree with you.

I think as an English teacher, we should try to broaden our students' view so that they can accept and be tolerant towards the different culture in different countries.

And they should develop a right attitude towards the cultures. Both total acceptance and total rejection are not correct.

So, how could we help them?
through lecture or game or something.

And will it be too difficult for them to understand if they are only junior middle school student?

Senorita Daniels · Post by **Senorita Daniels** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:22 pm

Maybe you could use humerous stories. I heard one story about an American businessman in China. He had dinner at the home of one of his clients, and ate everything that was on his plate. The wife then gave him some more food. He ate every bite again, and the wife gave him more noodles. Everyone else (they were all Chinese) was long finished eating when the American slowly cleared that fourth helping. The wife gave him even more food, but was so stuffed that he couldn't eat any more, so he had to decline. Then he found out that in China, you're supposed to leave a little food on your plate to tell the servers that you're finished. He explained that in the U. S., you are taught to eat everything that you are served.

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Culture awareness in english teaching

What kind of culture awareness would you like to focus whle teaching English as a foreign language?

Culture awareness in english teaching

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