Teaching a Foreign Language in a Multicultural Context

Abstract

Today, teaching a foreign language in a multicultural classroom is a real challenge for the teachers. They have to cope with many obstacles and difficulties while facing an increasing number of diverse multicultural classes. This study aims to examine the language teaching strategies that a teacher should take into consideration while interacting in a multicultural context. Certainly there is a need to enhance the quality of teaching in such environments. In doing so, a teacher should know and understand very well the cultural diversity and recognize the differences among the various cultural and ethnic groups. Affective intercultural communication helps creating and maintaining an environment that encourages good interpersonal relations in class. The article will also consider the influence of native languages in learning a foreign language. The cultural diversity causes differences in perception and ways of learning a foreign language. Since everyone has the right to get equal education, it is very important that teachers should avoid discrimination on the basis of cultural background, language, and ethnicity. Instead, they should foster tolerance and mutual respect in the class. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n2p254