Target Language Culture Teaching and Learning in Moroccan Universities: Approaches and Challenges

Abstract

The present study has two main purposes. The first purpose is to investigate students’ and teachers’ attitudes towards target language culture learning and teaching. The second purpose is to identify the challenges that may hinder the effective learning and teaching of the target language culture course. It was conducted with 200 students and 6 teachers from two Moroccan universities (Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and Mohammed First Universities). To collect data, we made use of two data collection methods, namely the questionnaire and the interview. The major results of the study showed that both students and teachers had positive attitudes towards the target language culture course (U.S & British Culture course). The results also showed that the majority of students are not satisfied with both the content and the methodology used in the course. Based on the results, it was clear that the lack of technology and the lack of including some cultural aspects that students perceive to be important to know are among the most serious challenges that hamper achieving the effective learning outcomes of British and U.S Culture courses at the level of the university. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to the improvement of the teaching practices related to target language culture teaching and learning in Moroccan universities.