1、Teaching English as an International Language: An Intercultural Dimension,Gateway 3Cindy Lee,Contents,What is an International Language English as an International Language The Role of Cultural Learning in EIL Types of Cultural Content Reflective Approach in Practice (I) (II)(III) Conclusion,Preface
2、,This session is based on Sandra Lee McKays work Teaching English as an International Language (2003). In this session, we will see how to introduce interculturality into English Language Teaching. This is still a new field. Any suggestion or comment will be extremely welcome!,What is an Internation
3、al Language?,It is a language used by the majority of people from different,Nationalities,Ethnical Backgrounds,or,English as an International Language (EIL),Main Characteristics:Cross borders Primary Function:Enable speakers to share their ideas and cultural views Cultural Dimension: No longer conne
4、cted to the culture of the *Inner Circle Countries(*Native English speaking countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.),The Role of Cultural Learning in EIL,GoalEstablish a sphere of Interculturality Objectives Have understanding on other cultures Appreciate cultural differences Be able to share on
5、es own culture in English Reflect ones own culture to the others,Types of Cultural Content in TEIL,Textbook,Teacher,Student,Target Culture,International Culture,Source Culture,Source Culture,Source Culture,Reflective Approach in Practice (I)-1,While teaching target cultural text Example A Korean tea
6、chers experience: One Textbook Exercise asks students to:-Look at photos of various American scenes -Depict and Match them with different periods of American history Problems:-Students foundthe exercise extremely difficult the activity irrelevant to the purpose of learning English-The teacher experi
7、encedlimited knowledge in American Historydifficulty instructing the text content,The Korean Teachers Approach Replaced the photos in the text with some of various periods in Korea Followed the format in the book Encouraged his students to reflect on their own culture,Reflective Approach in Practice
8、 (I)-2,Results Overcame the difficulty in instruction Increased students interest of learning the language Helped students use English to compare and contrast two historical cultures,While teaching source cultural text Example A Japanese teachers experience: Content in the Textbook:-Ask students to
9、describe annual Japanese events-The events include Childrens Day Festival, traditional arts like Haiku, Noh comedy, etc. Problems:-How could source cultural text establish a sphere of interculturality? -How did students consider their own culture in relation to another?,Reflective Approach in Practi
10、ce (II)-1,The Japanese Teachers Approach Asked individual pupil to describe what specific aspects of their culture mean to them Then, encouraged students to consider how they would explain elements of their own culture to foreigners,Reflective Approach in Practice (II)-2,Results Pupils had opportuni
11、ty to learn more about their own culture Pupils learned the language needed to explain the cultural elements in English,Purposes The approach firstly demonstrated the variance within one culture Second, it promoted a view of culture as difference,While teaching international cultural text Example Ma
12、terial presents English as well as non-English speaking countries Content in the Textbook:-The texts provide various cultural information Problems:-Students may be uninterested or puzzled by the information in the text-The teacher may not have access to additional information needed to explain some
13、of the cultural references,Reflective Approach in Practice (III)-1,An Approach Recommended Extend the text in which a bilingual user interacts with other speakers of English Exemplify the manner in which English can be used internationally Examples can include lexical, grammatical, and phonological
14、variation in context Illustrate cross-cultural pragmatics and appropriateness Purposes Provide a basis for students to gain a fuller understanding of how English today serves a great variety of international purposes Encourage students to reflect on their own local and global uses of English as an I
15、nternational Language,Reflective Approach in Practice (III)-2,Conclusion,English is situated at the interface of foreign and native cultural values to a greater extent than any other language because of its greater use around the world. In TEIL context, it is important for teachers to consider how to create a sphere of interculturality.Try to draw students attention to their own history and culture, as well as to those of the target culture, in order to explain and contrast the differences.,- End -,Thank You !,
