In the following paragraphs I will try to explore as many problems as I can and to suggest solutions to them.
 

The First problem teachers are facing is: Overcrowded Curriculum.

The study of culture involves time that many teachers feel they cannot spare in an already overcrowded curriculum; they content themselves with the thought that students will be exposed to cultural material later, after they have mastered the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language.

Solution: Teachers should be made aware of the fact that this "later" never seems to come for most students. Therefore, instead of teaching language and culture in a Serial fashion, they should teach them in an integrative fashion, which means that they have to: (Lafayette 1978, 1988)

1. Plan cultural lessons and activities as carefully as language activities and integrate them into lesson plans.
2. Use cultural contexts for language-practice activities
3. Use a variety of techniques for teaching culture that involves the four skills (from the beginning through the more advanced levels of proficiency).
4. Make good use of textbook illustrations and photos – have students analyze their cultural significance.
5. Teach students about the connotative meaning of new words when teaching vocabulary.
6. Use discussions, brainstorming, and role-plays for cultural instruction.
7. Test cultural understanding as carefully as language is tested.

• Make the learning of culture a requirement?
• Relate to the native culture?
• Integrate language learning and culture learning?
• Provide students with the ability to interact successfully in novel cultural situations? …

 
                    Nada AbiSamra

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Page Created on September 8th, 1998
 Last updated on April 19th,1999
   Copyright (C) 1998/1999 by Nada AbiSamra.
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