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Understanding cultural conflict in EFL classrooms in the UAE

Year 2015, , 77 - 95, 17.09.2015
https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.460624

Abstract

In the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, it is common for instructors and students
to come from very different cultural backgrounds. Instructors who leave their home countries and go to
teach abroad may have trouble adjusting to the culture of their new teaching context, and cultural
misunderstandings that interfere with learning may occur in the classroom (Kramsch, 1993). This
research focused on cultural conflicts between Western, native English-speaking instructors and their
Arab students at two university-level EFL programs in the UAE. Questionnaires and interviews were
used to discover the details of specific classroom cultural conflicts and categorize them. Nine categories of
classroom cultural conflicts were identified, the major ones being inappropriate materials/discussion
topics, mixed-gender issues, and disrespect for religious customs. 

References

  • Al-Issa, A. (2005). When the west teaches the east: Analyzing intercultural conflict in the classroom. Intercultural Communication Studies, 14(4), 149-168. AUS Spring 2013 Fast facts. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1hV1NUw
  • Cortazzi, M., & Jin, L. (1999). Cultural mirrors: Materials and methods in the EFL classroom. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Culture in second language teaching and learning (197-219). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
  • Darwish, A.E., & Huber, G. L. (2003). Individualism vs. collectivism in different cultures: A cross-cultural study. Intercultural Education, 14(1), 47-55.
  • DeJaeghere, J. G., & Cao, Yi. (2009). Developing US teachers’ intercultural competence: Does professional development matter? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(5), 437-447. http://doi.org/dc2kkm
  • Hamad, A. (1999). The problem of culture in language teaching. Muslim Education Quarterly, 16(2), 37-45.
  • Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind: Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
  • Kramsch, C. (1993). Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Le Roux, J. (2002). Effective educators are culturally competent communicators. Intercultural Education, 13(1), 37-48.
  • Prodromou, L. (1992). What culture? Which culture? Cross-cultural factors in language learning. ELT Journal, 46(1), 39-50. http://doi.org/d2w8x6
  • Protheroe, N. J., & Barsdate, K. J. (1992). Culturally sensitive instruction. Streamlined Seminar, 10(4), 1-4.
  • Roberts, H. (2012, June 6). Brits need to realize there is a dark side to Dubai’s glamour. The Sun. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1PMaZFa
  • Sapir, E. (1921). Language: An introduction to the study of speech. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
  • Sonleitner, N., & Khelifa, M. (2004). Western-educated faculty challenges in a Gulf classroom. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, 2, 1-21.
  • Strong, C. (2012). Teaching converged media to Arab students: University/external partnerships in social media campaigns. Middle East Media Educator, 1(2), 87-99.
  • Wages, R. (27 May 2012). The challenges and benefits of teaching ESL in UAE. ESLEmployer.com. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1fVZmPR
  • Young, T. J., & Sachdev, I. (2011). Intercultural communicative competence: Exploring English language teachers’ beliefs and practices. Language Awareness, 20(2), 81-98. http://doi.org/dr9zcd
Year 2015, , 77 - 95, 17.09.2015
https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.460624

Abstract

References

  • Al-Issa, A. (2005). When the west teaches the east: Analyzing intercultural conflict in the classroom. Intercultural Communication Studies, 14(4), 149-168. AUS Spring 2013 Fast facts. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1hV1NUw
  • Cortazzi, M., & Jin, L. (1999). Cultural mirrors: Materials and methods in the EFL classroom. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Culture in second language teaching and learning (197-219). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
  • Darwish, A.E., & Huber, G. L. (2003). Individualism vs. collectivism in different cultures: A cross-cultural study. Intercultural Education, 14(1), 47-55.
  • DeJaeghere, J. G., & Cao, Yi. (2009). Developing US teachers’ intercultural competence: Does professional development matter? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(5), 437-447. http://doi.org/dc2kkm
  • Hamad, A. (1999). The problem of culture in language teaching. Muslim Education Quarterly, 16(2), 37-45.
  • Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind: Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
  • Kramsch, C. (1993). Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Le Roux, J. (2002). Effective educators are culturally competent communicators. Intercultural Education, 13(1), 37-48.
  • Prodromou, L. (1992). What culture? Which culture? Cross-cultural factors in language learning. ELT Journal, 46(1), 39-50. http://doi.org/d2w8x6
  • Protheroe, N. J., & Barsdate, K. J. (1992). Culturally sensitive instruction. Streamlined Seminar, 10(4), 1-4.
  • Roberts, H. (2012, June 6). Brits need to realize there is a dark side to Dubai’s glamour. The Sun. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1PMaZFa
  • Sapir, E. (1921). Language: An introduction to the study of speech. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
  • Sonleitner, N., & Khelifa, M. (2004). Western-educated faculty challenges in a Gulf classroom. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, 2, 1-21.
  • Strong, C. (2012). Teaching converged media to Arab students: University/external partnerships in social media campaigns. Middle East Media Educator, 1(2), 87-99.
  • Wages, R. (27 May 2012). The challenges and benefits of teaching ESL in UAE. ESLEmployer.com. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1fVZmPR
  • Young, T. J., & Sachdev, I. (2011). Intercultural communicative competence: Exploring English language teachers’ beliefs and practices. Language Awareness, 20(2), 81-98. http://doi.org/dr9zcd
There are 16 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Linguistics
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Bridget Maureen Walker Palmer This is me

Publication Date September 17, 2015
Published in Issue Year 2015

Cite

APA Palmer, B. M. W. (2015). Understanding cultural conflict in EFL classrooms in the UAE. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1(2), 77-95. https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.460624