CULTURE AND IDENTITY: TOWARDS REDEFINING REPRESENTATIONAL MATERIAL FOR THEESL/EFL CLASSROOM
Journal Title: Asian Journal Social Sciences & Humanities - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper is a re-examination of the concept of language awareness, text awareness and cultural awareness in the ESL/EFL classroom. It deconstructs previous assumptions (Lazar (1993), McRae (2009), Halliday (2004) of commending any representational material in the EFL/ESL classroom by arguing that though such material ignites Learners’ imagination and critical abilities, it should be able to define the learner as well. In this light, the work attempts to answer the following question: what literary material for ESL/EFL classrooms? Besides the above query, the paper probes into examining how literature (the bearer of culture and identity) can serve as a catalyst to improving language skills (competence and performance) in the ESL/EFL classroom in cross cultural environment. The argument takes us into investigating the immediate environment of learners, their experiences and educational needs. It as well highlights the reasons for the adoption of a particular literature or culture-based approach to the teaching of English in foreign or second language context. The paper also suggests tasks typical of literature or culture-based models. Thus, introducing cross-cultural texts in ESL/EFL classroom (especially trans-cultural works like Adichie’s (2013) Americanah) will help learners not only to ignite their imagination and cultural awareness but will make the language more accommodating and give learners the possibilities of situating and adapting themselves within the individual and global milieu. The language as such, will not be a “foreign language” or colonial tool but will pass for a defining language.
Authors and Affiliations
Divine Che Neba
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP202015
- DOI -
- Views 102
- Downloads 0
ROLE OF SUPPORTIVE AND NON-SUPPORTIVE FACTORS ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS
The aim of the existing study is to examine the role of various supportive (social support factors) and non-supportive (social interferential factors) factors associated to women participation in sports at Pakistani rura...
REVISITING POSTCOLONIAL FEMINISM AND THEOLOGY: A LITERATURE REVIEW
The postcolonial ethos, especially in terms of its association with feminism, calls for an increased focus on the role religion essentially plays in shaping up the lives and situations of women. The author, in this paper...
INVESTIGATING THE SELF-MANAGEMENT MODEL FROM THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Islam states that the creation of man is a composite of the material and spiritual. This is based on the creation of Adam who was the beginning of man on earth from a material thing. Because of that, man is insep...
Causes of Crimes in Educated Youth of Sindh: A Survey Study
The existing research study was conducted to uncover the causes of committing crime in educated youth of Sindh. The objective of this study was to determine the root causes and present recommendations for solution. For t...
Relations between Traditional and Online Media in Albania
The greatest development in this new world of information technology occurred from the late 1980s onwards, in each case with an ascending trend. In respect of Internet you should have a PC and a connection in order to st...