Incorporating culture and textbook adaptation practice for promoting intercultural competence in ELT: Teachers’ perspectives

Dian Novita,Oikurema Purwati

doi:10.21070/jees.v6i1.1059

Dian Novita, Oikurema Purwati

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v6i1.1059

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Abstract

It is currently accepted that language and culture are inseparable since culture becomes an essential aspect of learning a foreign language. In the Indonesian context, this broad understanding of the crucial role of culture in English teaching has raised challenges in different contexts for EFL teachers. The recent study focuses on Indonesian Junior High School teachers’ views on integrating culture in ELT and practices of textbook adaptation to help students build intercultural competence. Therefore, to meet these aims, a questionnaire and an open-ended question were employed to collect the data from fifteen participants teaching English at public and private schools in Indonesia. The study results reveal that Indonesian EFL teachers have positive attitudes on integrating intercultural competence in ELT. Still, some of the difficulties confronted by their implementation of textbook adaptation have been highlighted in promoting intercultural competence. This study suggests that EFL teachers in Indonesia should be provided with teacher training relating to textbooks adaptation and teaching culture. The implementation of ICT in ELT classrooms is also recommended. Finally, the redesign of the curriculum with more integrated intercultural competency materials should be taken into account. HIGHLIGHTS:  The EFL teachers’ practices deal with textbook adaptation are not well implemented, although they believe that cultural competence in their teaching activities is crucial. The English curriculum should give more room for teachers in serving the students based on their needs, preferences, and skills, especially for enhancing students’ mastery on the target language. 

Highlights

Foreign language education is a cross-cultural issue
The present study aimed to shed light on how Indonesian Junior High School EFL teachers deal with cultural integration in English Language Teaching (ELT) classrooms and their impressions of textbook adaptation in their teaching to facilitate students' intercultural skills
They believe that people living in other communities empathize with them and coping with intercultural communication situations is enhanced by intercultural competence

Summary

Introduction

Foreign language education is a cross-cultural issue. Both languages are used and reflect specific contexts within particular cultural contexts. Learning a foreign language requires more than gaining proficiency in that language in terms of language and communication. It needs an increase in the familiarity of learners with the cultural context of the language. Belli (2018) asserts that interacting or negotiating with the native speakers of that language will be difficult, regardless of how proficient people are in all language skills in a foreign language or how flawless they speak that language, as they lack cultural awareness. In the excellent knowledge of a target language, the mastery of language skills, patterns, rules, and the target culture is involved

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