冬燕南飞

The Teaching of Culture in the English Language Education

1   Introduction

In teaching English as a foreign language , the importance of teaching culture has been widely recognized. However how to teach culture in foreign language education is a problem faced by language educators all over the world . In the present dissertation , the concerning linguistic theories and various ways of teaching foreign culture in the English classroom will be surveyed and studied in the light of Chinese situation . The present dissertation stresses that culture  teaching is very essential in the English language education . The teaching of language and the teaching of culture are of the same importance in the English classroom .

Language and culture are closely related . In foreign language education , the definition of culture teaching should include all the human achievements of civilization and the ways of life and the different habits of people . Culture differences are reflected in languages and communicative activities . Furthermore it makes great difference in communication whether learners can understand or know the cultural differences , cultural rules , and even the cultural taboos .

However , in traditional approaches to language teaching , the aims of a language teaching course are very often defined with reference to the four " language skills " : understanding speech , speaking , reading and writing. Culture teaching is not taken so important a teaching target as the above mentioned language skills .Because of the lack of cultural knowledge , students often make cultural mistakes when they communicate with native speakers.                         .             

From years of my experience in teaching English , I gradually realize the importance of culture teaching to Chinese students . English teaching should be aimed at developing students’ communicative competence so that they would be able to react freely and proper with native speakers of English in various social situations . Language should be taught in culture . The two are of the same importance.

2   Outline

2.1  The Background Theories

　　In this part I will describe the theories of communicative competence by D . Hymes and M , A . K . Halliday , which have led to a change of focus in English teaching . The theories show us the importance of culture teaching and that language and culture are intertwined , that it is not possible to teach a foreign language without teaching its culture .

　　2.2 The Relationship Between Language and Culture

　　I will discuss the relationship between language and culture in this part. What is culture ? What is language ? Is there diversity among cultures ? How do language and culture interact ?

2.3 Cultural Goals

In this part, I will discuss the cultural goals for Chinese students. Some advantage will possibly be shown in this study.

2.4 Teaching Culture in the English Classroom

In this part, I will discuss the content and methods of teaching culture in the English classroom .

　　2.5 Conclusion

　　Based on the above elaboration of DTS and the case study, possible conclusion will be on the advantage of DTS in specific study of translation. Suggestions on further research efforts will be made also.

(Note: While the topic will remain the same, the above arrangement of contents is subject to change in the process of writing.)

References

Baugh, John and Joel Sherzer . Language in Use . New Jersey : Prentice -Hall , Inc . , 1984 .

Deng , Yanchang and Liu Runqing , Language and Culture , Beijing : Foreign Language Education and Research Press . 1989 .

Ervin - Tripp , Susan M . Language  Acquisition and Communicative Choice . Standford : Standford University Press , 1973 .

Frake , Charles 0 . Language and Cultural Description．

Halliday , M . A . K . Learning How to Mean . New York : Elsevier , 1977 .

Hu Zhuanglin Liu Runqing and Li Yanfu . Linguistics : A Course Book . Beijing : Beijing University Press , 1988 .

Hu , WenZhong . " Culture and Literature " Foreign Language Teaching and Research . January 1994 .

Hudson , R . A . Sociolinguistics . London : Cambridge University Press .

Katan , David . Translating Cultures . Manchester : St Jerome Publishing , 1999 .

Qin , Xiubai . " EFL Learning and Culture Acquisition , ' . Intercultural Communication , Shanghai : Shanghai Translating Press , 1988 .

Samovar , Larry A . and Richard E . Porter . Communication between Cultures. Belmont : Wadsworth Publishing Company ·

Savignon , Sandra J . Communicative Competence : Theory and Classroom Practice · Reading : Addison -Wesley Publishing Company , 1983 .

Stern, H , H , Issues and Options in Language Teaching.  Oxford : Oxford University Press , 1992 .

Wu , Bing . " Chinese Teachers’Role in the Teaching of American Literature’’. Foreign Language Teaching and Research , 1994 , pp46 一 50 .

Yalden , Janice . Principles of Course Design for Language Teaching  .Shanghai : Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press , 2000 .

Yule , George . The Study of Language . Shanghai : Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press , 2000 .

Zhu, Weifeng. “A Survey on Cultural Differences”. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, January 1997, pp.52-58.

【相关专题文章链接:】

【作者: 冬燕】【访问统计:】【2007年01月4日 星期四 22:17】【注册】【打印】