English for Specific Purposes
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Hussain Ahmed Liton and Tarek Abdallah AL Madanat. Integration of Culture into ESL/EFL Classroom: A Pedagogical Perspective

Abstract

Integrating culture into the language teaching programs has a motivating effect on the language learner and learning processes in an EFL/ESL classroom. Moreover, globalization and internationalization of language teaching and learning (e.g. TESOL, TEFL/ELT, TOEFL/IELTS, etc) creates new challenges and diversities that impact on classroom practices and modes of pedagogy. These new challenges and diversities underscore an urgent need to acknowledge and understand these diversities because effective teaching-learning is built on cultural and linguistic backgrounds. With the globalization of life and learning, it is sometimes perilous to be caged in a mono-cultural milieu without having any sound information about cultures of others. Learning cultures of other people doesn't mean losing one's own cultural identity and values, rather cultural knowledge leads to a successful communication in Foreign Language ( FL ). Under the tutelage of such backdrop, this study addresses the issues related to integration of culture into ESL/EFL classroom from pedagogical perspective based on observation as well as primary and secondary sources. This study also maintains both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The study shows that teaching and integrating culture into EFL/ESL classroom is a highly contributing /motivating factor in FL acquisition and it also develops students' intercultural competence and effective cross-cultural communication skill which is a must in this era of globalization. This paper also comes across that familiarization with other cultures leads learners to come in terms with a perspective of experiencing and learning the crux of effective communication in FL.

Keywords: Foreign Language (FL ), culture, globalization, EFL ( English as a foreign language) classroom, intercultural communication

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