Note 11 Culture and the teaching of culture

(Last updated: 11/6/2024)

1. What is culture

1.1. Culture

c.f. http://carla.umn.edu/culture/definitions.html

"... culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. These shared patterns identify the members of a culture group while also distinguishing those of another group. "

Note: Google for other definitions of the term on the internet.

1.2 The 5C's

Culture: Interact with cultural competence and understanding

• Relating Cultural Practices to Perspectives: Learners use the language to investigate, explain, and reflect on the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.
• Relating Cultural Products to Perspectives:Learners use the language to investigate, explain, and reflect on the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.

1.3 Cultural competence

c.f. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competence

"the ability to understand, appreciate and interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own"

Note: Very often known as the fifth skill (after listening, speaking, reading and writing): The ability to recognize, accept and appreciate cultural differences.

2. Teaching culture

2.1 Culture and motivation

According to Gardner and Lambert (1972):
(Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and Motivation in Second Language Learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House Publishers. )

• Integrative motivation
  • 'Learning the language with the intention of participating in the culture of its people. '
• Instrumental motivation

Culture by itself is part of the learning objectives. We also use culture to motivate language learning.

2.2 Goals of teaching culture

• Cultural knowledge
• Mindset and behavior

2.3 Sources of cultural information

• Authentic books
• Multimedia materials such as music, film and video, etc.
• The Internet
• Native and non-native speakers
• ...

2.4 Cultural competence in the classroom

c.f http://iteslj.org/Articles/Pratt-Johnson-CrossCultural.html

• Ways of knowing
• Ways of solving problems
• Ways of communicating non-verbally
• Ways of learning
• Ways of dealing with conflict
• Ways of using symbols

2.5 Teaching about culture and developing cultural competence

Video clips:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYJAaywJgyE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0SHOPliWAE

Best practices

• Obtain information from language learning materials such as textbook and supplemental materials;
• Use authentic materials;
• Emphasize on the recognition and appreciation of cultural differences;
• Use technology to help the presentation and learning of culture;
• Cultural learning should not be limited to obtaining descriptive knowledge of culture. What matters more is to help students understand the perspectives of the culture studied and develop the mentality of "putting themselves in other's shoes";
• In addition to verbal communication (i.e., language), interpersonal communication often involves the use of non-verbal channel such as pauses, gestures, facial expressions and other body languages. In giving, for example, a spoken test, an instructor should also award students for using culturally appropriate non-verbal communication skills.