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Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms

Year 2014, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 20 - 33, 01.01.2014
https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.68001

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions and classroom applications of the Turkish EFL instructors about integrating target culture in their classroom. A sample of eighty (N=80) EFL instructors working at state and private university language preparatory programs in Turkey participated in this study. The quantitative data were obtained through a questionnaire, and the qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews and stimulated recalls administered to the two groups of participants.The findings of the study revealed significant implications with respect to integrating target culture in an EFL classroom

References

  • designed for the purposes of this study simply rely on the perceptions of the EFL instructors about
  • integrating target culture in an EFL classroom. The intercultural or local culture awareness of instructors
  • was not included which might have affected the results of the study. Furthermore, it is possible that
  • the camera might have affected both the instructors and the students, they might have considered it
  • obtrusive and this might have caused them to change their ordinary behaviours. Any modifications or
  • changes in the ordinary behaviours of the instructors might affect and hinder the reliability of this study
  • which is due to the fact that the usual approach of instructors towards integrating target culture while
  • teaching is of crucial importance for this study. Despite these limitations, the present study is significant
  • for the field of integrating target culture while teaching in an EFL classroom since it provides foundation
  • for the further research.
  • Recommendations for Further Research
  • This study has several recommendations for further research. First of all, the perceptions of EFL
  • instructors may vary. Therefore, it is recommended to replicate the present study at different language
  • preparatory programs in Turkey. Besides, future research should also investigate students’ perceptions
  • on target culture and target culture integrated lessons which would provide insights into whether the
  • objectives of the instructors’ and the universities’ match with what students actually require.
  • Adaskou, K., Britten, D., & Fahsi, B. (1990). Design decisions on the cultural content of a secondary English course for Morocco. ELT Journal, 44(1), 3-10.
  • Atay, D., Kurt, G., Çamlıbel, Z., Ersin, P., & Kaslıoğlu, Ö. (2009). The role of intercultural competence in foreign language teaching. Inönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 10(3), 123- 135.
  • Bada, E. (2000). Culture in ELT. Çukurova University Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 100-110.
  • Bayyurt, Y. (2006). Non‐native English language teachers’ perspective on culture in English as a Foreign Language classrooms. Teacher Development, 10(2), 233-247.
  • Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (1998). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Ally & Bacon: Needham Heights, MA.
  • Çakır, I. (2006). Developing cultural awareness in foreign language teaching. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 7(3), 154-161.
  • Gass, S. M. & Mackey, A. (2005). Second Language Research: Methodology and Design. Lawrance Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
  • Genç, B., & Bada, E. (2005). Culture in language learning and teaching. The Reading Matrix, 5(1).
  • Gliem, J. A. & Gliem, R. R. (2003). Calculating, Interpreting, and Reporting Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Coefficient for Likert-Type Scales. Presented at the Midwest Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, and Community Education,Ohio State University. Research to
  • Goode, T., Sockalingam, S., Brown, M., & Jones, W. (2000). A planner’s guide—infusing principles, content and themes related to cultural and linguistic competence into meetings and conferences. National Center for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University.
  • Gönen, S., & Sağlam, S. (2012). Teaching culture in the FL classroom: Teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Global Education, 1(3).
  • Gülden, Ö. (2003). Foreign language education today and intercultural communication theory. Unpublished MA Thesis. İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
  • Ho, S. T. K. (2009). Addressing culture in EFL classrooms: The challenge of shifting from a traditional to an intercultural stance. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 6(1), 63-76.
  • Hohmann, U. (2006). Quantitative Methods in Education Research. Retrieved May 18 2013 from www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/Quantitative/quanthme.htm.
  • Karabınar, S., & Guler, C. Y. (2012). The Attitudes of EFL Teachers Towards Teaching Culture and Their Classroom Practices. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2(2), 113-126.
  • Larzén‐Östermark, E. (2008). The intercultural dimension in EFL‐teaching: A study of conceptions among Finland‐Swedish comprehensive school teachers. Scandinavian Educational Research, 52(5), 527-547. Journal of
  • Lessard-Clouston, M. (1997). Towards an understanding of culture in L2/FL education. The Internet TESL Journal, 3(5), 12.
  • Önalan, O. (2005). EFL teachers’ perceptions of the place of culture in ELT: A survey study at four universities in Ankara/Turkey. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 1(2), 215-235.
  • Peterson, B., & Coltrane, B. (2003). Culture in second language teaching. ERIC Digest, Winter, 2003. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from: http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/digest_pdfs/0309peterson.pdf
  • Ritlyová, A. (2009). Cultural Studies in Language Teaching. Paper presented at the Language, Literature and Culture in a Changing Transatlantic World International Conference.
  • Sárdi, C. (2003). On the Relationship between Culture and ELT. Kalbų Studijos, 3.
  • Sarıçoban, A., Çalışkan, G., Yeşilbursa, A. A., Farahian, M., Demirezen, M., Kızıltan, N., & Akalın, S. (2011). The Influence of Target Culture on Language Learners. Journal and Linguistic Studies, 7(1). of Language
  • Sercu, L., del Carmen Méndez García, M., & Prieto, P. C. (2005). Culture learning from a constructivist perspective. An investigation of Spanish foreign language teachers’ views. Language and Education, 19(6), 483-495.
  • Stapleton, P. (2000). Culture's role in TEFL: An attitude survey in Japan. Language Culture and Curriculum, 13(3), 291-305.
  • Şen, S. (2010). A profile of EFL teachers’ knowledge of the target culture from their epistemological sources to classroom applications. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Hacettepe University.
  • Taylor, G. R. (2005). Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Research. University press of America.
  • Tomalin, B. & Stempleski, S. 1993. Cultural Awareness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Zhu, H. L. (2010). Approaches to culture teaching at college level in China. US-China Foreign Language, 8(4), 43-48.

Yabancı Dil Olarak İngilizce Sınıfında Hedef Kültürü Entegre Etme

Year 2014, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 20 - 33, 01.01.2014
https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.68001

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, dil hazırlık programlarında çalışmakta olan ve İngilizceyi yabancı dil olarak öğreten Türk okutmanların hedef kültürü sınıflarında entegre etme konusunda sınıf içi uygulamalarını ve algılarını araştırmaktır. Çalışmanın örneklemi olarak, araştırmaya Türkiye’deki devlet ve özel üniversitelerinde çalışan seksen (N=80) yabancı dil hazırlık programı okutmanı katılmıştır. Nicel veriler bir anket aracılığıyla elde edilmiş, nitel veriler iki grup katılımcıya uygulanan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme ve çağrışım tekniğine dayalı görüşmeyle toplanmıştır. Çalışmanın bulguları, yabancı dil olarak İngilizce sınıfında hedef kültürü entegre etmeye ilişkin önemli çıkarımlar ortaya koymaktadır.

References

  • designed for the purposes of this study simply rely on the perceptions of the EFL instructors about
  • integrating target culture in an EFL classroom. The intercultural or local culture awareness of instructors
  • was not included which might have affected the results of the study. Furthermore, it is possible that
  • the camera might have affected both the instructors and the students, they might have considered it
  • obtrusive and this might have caused them to change their ordinary behaviours. Any modifications or
  • changes in the ordinary behaviours of the instructors might affect and hinder the reliability of this study
  • which is due to the fact that the usual approach of instructors towards integrating target culture while
  • teaching is of crucial importance for this study. Despite these limitations, the present study is significant
  • for the field of integrating target culture while teaching in an EFL classroom since it provides foundation
  • for the further research.
  • Recommendations for Further Research
  • This study has several recommendations for further research. First of all, the perceptions of EFL
  • instructors may vary. Therefore, it is recommended to replicate the present study at different language
  • preparatory programs in Turkey. Besides, future research should also investigate students’ perceptions
  • on target culture and target culture integrated lessons which would provide insights into whether the
  • objectives of the instructors’ and the universities’ match with what students actually require.
  • Adaskou, K., Britten, D., & Fahsi, B. (1990). Design decisions on the cultural content of a secondary English course for Morocco. ELT Journal, 44(1), 3-10.
  • Atay, D., Kurt, G., Çamlıbel, Z., Ersin, P., & Kaslıoğlu, Ö. (2009). The role of intercultural competence in foreign language teaching. Inönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 10(3), 123- 135.
  • Bada, E. (2000). Culture in ELT. Çukurova University Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 100-110.
  • Bayyurt, Y. (2006). Non‐native English language teachers’ perspective on culture in English as a Foreign Language classrooms. Teacher Development, 10(2), 233-247.
  • Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (1998). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Ally & Bacon: Needham Heights, MA.
  • Çakır, I. (2006). Developing cultural awareness in foreign language teaching. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 7(3), 154-161.
  • Gass, S. M. & Mackey, A. (2005). Second Language Research: Methodology and Design. Lawrance Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
  • Genç, B., & Bada, E. (2005). Culture in language learning and teaching. The Reading Matrix, 5(1).
  • Gliem, J. A. & Gliem, R. R. (2003). Calculating, Interpreting, and Reporting Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Coefficient for Likert-Type Scales. Presented at the Midwest Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, and Community Education,Ohio State University. Research to
  • Goode, T., Sockalingam, S., Brown, M., & Jones, W. (2000). A planner’s guide—infusing principles, content and themes related to cultural and linguistic competence into meetings and conferences. National Center for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University.
  • Gönen, S., & Sağlam, S. (2012). Teaching culture in the FL classroom: Teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Global Education, 1(3).
  • Gülden, Ö. (2003). Foreign language education today and intercultural communication theory. Unpublished MA Thesis. İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
  • Ho, S. T. K. (2009). Addressing culture in EFL classrooms: The challenge of shifting from a traditional to an intercultural stance. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 6(1), 63-76.
  • Hohmann, U. (2006). Quantitative Methods in Education Research. Retrieved May 18 2013 from www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/Quantitative/quanthme.htm.
  • Karabınar, S., & Guler, C. Y. (2012). The Attitudes of EFL Teachers Towards Teaching Culture and Their Classroom Practices. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2(2), 113-126.
  • Larzén‐Östermark, E. (2008). The intercultural dimension in EFL‐teaching: A study of conceptions among Finland‐Swedish comprehensive school teachers. Scandinavian Educational Research, 52(5), 527-547. Journal of
  • Lessard-Clouston, M. (1997). Towards an understanding of culture in L2/FL education. The Internet TESL Journal, 3(5), 12.
  • Önalan, O. (2005). EFL teachers’ perceptions of the place of culture in ELT: A survey study at four universities in Ankara/Turkey. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 1(2), 215-235.
  • Peterson, B., & Coltrane, B. (2003). Culture in second language teaching. ERIC Digest, Winter, 2003. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from: http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/digest_pdfs/0309peterson.pdf
  • Ritlyová, A. (2009). Cultural Studies in Language Teaching. Paper presented at the Language, Literature and Culture in a Changing Transatlantic World International Conference.
  • Sárdi, C. (2003). On the Relationship between Culture and ELT. Kalbų Studijos, 3.
  • Sarıçoban, A., Çalışkan, G., Yeşilbursa, A. A., Farahian, M., Demirezen, M., Kızıltan, N., & Akalın, S. (2011). The Influence of Target Culture on Language Learners. Journal and Linguistic Studies, 7(1). of Language
  • Sercu, L., del Carmen Méndez García, M., & Prieto, P. C. (2005). Culture learning from a constructivist perspective. An investigation of Spanish foreign language teachers’ views. Language and Education, 19(6), 483-495.
  • Stapleton, P. (2000). Culture's role in TEFL: An attitude survey in Japan. Language Culture and Curriculum, 13(3), 291-305.
  • Şen, S. (2010). A profile of EFL teachers’ knowledge of the target culture from their epistemological sources to classroom applications. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Hacettepe University.
  • Taylor, G. R. (2005). Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Research. University press of America.
  • Tomalin, B. & Stempleski, S. 1993. Cultural Awareness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Zhu, H. L. (2010). Approaches to culture teaching at college level in China. US-China Foreign Language, 8(4), 43-48.
There are 44 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ezgi Aydemir This is me

Enisa Mede This is me

Publication Date January 1, 2014
Submission Date February 6, 2015
Published in Issue Year 2014 Volume: 5 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Aydemir, E., & Mede, E. (2014). Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 5(1), 20-33. https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.68001
AMA Aydemir E, Mede E. Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms. TOJQI. January 2014;5(1):20-33. doi:10.17569/tojqi.68001
Chicago Aydemir, Ezgi, and Enisa Mede. “Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms”. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry 5, no. 1 (January 2014): 20-33. https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.68001.
EndNote Aydemir E, Mede E (January 1, 2014) Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry 5 1 20–33.
IEEE E. Aydemir and E. Mede, “Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms”, TOJQI, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 20–33, 2014, doi: 10.17569/tojqi.68001.
ISNAD Aydemir, Ezgi - Mede, Enisa. “Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms”. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry 5/1 (January 2014), 20-33. https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.68001.
JAMA Aydemir E, Mede E. Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms. TOJQI. 2014;5:20–33.
MLA Aydemir, Ezgi and Enisa Mede. “Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms”. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, vol. 5, no. 1, 2014, pp. 20-33, doi:10.17569/tojqi.68001.
Vancouver Aydemir E, Mede E. Integrating Target Culture in EFL Classrooms. TOJQI. 2014;5(1):20-33.

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