Abstract
Culture has been defined and viewed in different ways. These differences are due to its involvement with various facets of human life. Some of these definitions and viewpoints are related to the process of teaching/learning a language and understanding the habits of the native speakers of the language. In this regard, many linguists consider it the fifth language skill alongside the other four traditional skills that help language learners to master the language better. This paper addresses this issue by exploring the perceptions of Kurdish EFL university students concerning the role of English culture in learning the language. The researcher attempts to achieve this aim by providing a theoretical background about culture and culture as the fifth language skill and utilizing a questionnaire to a sample of senior undergraduate students selected for this purpose. The findings of the study show that cultural awareness has an essential role in the process of English language learning. Hence, culture should always be integrated with the process because it is an inseparable part of language teaching/learning. Teaching culture is as crucial as teaching other aspects and skills of the language.
Highlights
It is not easy to find a straightforward definition of culture
This paper aims to describe the role of culture in language teaching/learning and address the issue of considering it as the fifth language skill
The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of Kurdish EFL university students concerning the significance of English culture, the fifth language skill, in learning the language
Summary
Kroeber and Kluckhohn (1952) collected 164 definitions to culture and categorized them into specific groups: broad definitions that focused on content; definitions that focused on social heritage or tradition; normative definitions that focused on rules or ways of doing things; psychological definitions that focused on adjustment or problem-solving; structural definitions that focused on patterns and organizations; genetic definitions that focused on culture as a product or thing; as well as incomplete or metaphorical definitions that they called “on-the-side stabs in passing” at definitions. There are many components of culture that make it even more challenging to define. Even in anthropology, which basically deals with such issues, there is misery in defining culture. Tomalin (2008) defines culture as covering common traditions, values, and ways of behaving of a particular community
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
