The question of culture: EFL teaching in non-English-speaking countries

Abstract

Two conflicting pedagogical views exist in teaching EFL (English as a foreign language) abroad. One, promoted chiefly by native English speaking teachers, is that English teaching should be done with reference to the socio-cultural norms and values of an English-speaking country, with the purpose of developing bilingual and bicultural individuals. The other, advocated by the host country where Engligh instruction takes place is that the teaching of English should be independent of its nationality -bound cultural context, with a view to creating bilingual yet not necessarily bicultural poeple. This article discusses both positions in the light of cognitive, affective, and cultural data—in particular with a focus on the native English-speaking teacher in the host society. It is then suggested that successful bilinguals should serve as pedagogical models (instead of monolingual and monocultural native English-speakign teachers) and that local and interenational contexts which are familiar and relevant to students' lives should be used (instead of unfamiliar and irrelevant contexts from the English-speaking world).

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