Abstract
This paper discusses the impact of a local culture-based longitudinal English language reading program on secondary school students’ skill development and confidence. This program named as Your Language My Culture (YLMC) was the brainchild of a team of local university researchers from secondary schools in the state of Terengganu in Malaysia. Its main objective was to help in improving English competency while instilling local culture awareness among Malaysian youth. The underlying premise was that familiarity with cultural elements (in this case local culture) would provide the schema to facilitate learning and communicating in English. Three supplementary reading modules focusing on local culture and content were developed for use among students from Forms One to Three. After three years of exposure to the local content, a survey was carried out among teachers and students to examine the impact on students’ skill development and confidence in using English language. Furthermore, focus group interviews with teachers and students were carried out concomitantly throughout the three-year period. The findings revealed an enhanced understanding regarding the manner in which the module utilization impacted the development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English amongst these students. The responses obtained from the teachers and students alike depicted the students’ skills that were sharpened, attributable mainly to their increased level of confidence.
Highlights
Language and culture are intertwined and complement each other; language is the vehicle through which “a culture transmits its beliefs, values, and norms” (Sun 2013, p. 317). Kramsch (1998) has reminded that in the context of communication, both elements are inter-correlated and bound together as the speakers create experiences through language
We posit that the local culture is just as important as target culture awareness as the familiarity with local content will serve as a motivator and identity for students to “construct their own meanings and reflect on their own culture as well as the culture of the target language” (IGNA Wijaya 2018, p. 3)
We agree with Regmi (2011) in that students and teachers alike have come with their own culture to language classrooms, and renders it important for both to be aware of the interplay between cultures
Summary
Language and culture are intertwined and complement each other; language is the vehicle through which “a culture transmits its beliefs, values, and norms” (Sun 2013, p. 317). Kramsch (1998) has reminded that in the context of communication, both elements are inter-correlated and bound together as the speakers create experiences through language. Kramsch (1998) has reminded that in the context of communication, both elements are inter-correlated and bound together as the speakers create experiences through language In reality, they reflect one another as learning a language is best done in its cultural context, while acquiring a culture necessitates one to be capable of communicating in the language of the culture (Nambiar and Anawar 2017, Nguyen 2017, Kramsch & Zhua Hua 2016). They reflect one another as learning a language is best done in its cultural context, while acquiring a culture necessitates one to be capable of communicating in the language of the culture (Nambiar and Anawar 2017, Nguyen 2017, Kramsch & Zhua Hua 2016). An understanding of the shared knowledge can help in easing communication and making it more meaningful (Normazidah Che Musa et al 2012, Holler & Wilkin 2009)
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.
