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Adopting an Intercultural Approach to Teaching English as an International Language

One teacher suddenly said that she thinks Saudi girls are oppressed, spoiled airheads. They must know, as we must know, that every country has different traditions, so we must respect each other without mocking. - Asadi , 2007.

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Adopting an Intercultural Approach to Teaching English as an International Language

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  1. One teacher suddenly said that she thinks Saudi girls are oppressed, spoiled airheads. They must know, as we must know, that every country has different traditions, so we must respect each other without mocking. - Asadi, 2007 Adopting an Intercultural Approach to Teaching English as an International Language By Sulaiman Jenkins

  2. The BIG Picture • Incorporating target-language culture into English language teaching • Better approach • Audience: • Teachers • EIL (English as an International Language) • Similar to us as language teachers • Even though we will be teaching a “foreign” language, English is a foreign language to others

  3. The Human Enterprise • What is the “human enterprise” (according to Jenkins)? • TEACHING • Must be SENSITIVE to reality of human characteristics • Fear, hope, joy, anger, confusion, etc.

  4. The Role of English as an International Language • English as an international language • Becomes denationalized • No necessity for nonnative speakers to understand or identify with the culture of the native speakers • Purpose of teaching: communication of learners’ ideas and culture • More language use expands, less connected it becomes with culture

  5. Intercultural Approach vs. Bicultural Approach • Two approaches to language learning: • Language and basic knowledge of target-language culture without accepting or identifying with it • INTERCULTURAL • Learn language while simultaneously incorporating, internalizing, and acclimating to the target culture • BICULTURAL

  6. Adopting an Intercultural Approach by Default • Knowledge of local culture is KEY • Learning about function of English in local community • Learning extensively about the culture to determine cultural appropriateness • Developing materials or tailoring materials to be culturally appropriate • Local culture is represented • Teach without compromising students’ self-perceptions

  7. Adjusting to the Local Culture • Respect customs, regardless of how you feel about them • You are a VISITOR • Ask students what they want to talk about and what interests them • Teaching culture should be safe and healthy, and a mutually beneficial exchange

  8. How does this topic relate to us? • We must learn to respect other cultures. • Even if we do not agree with a particular custom, we are guests in other countries • Will be useful for when we go abroad • What was interesting to me? • Intercultural should be taught rather than bicultural • Bicultural is a more thorough understanding

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