The Comparative Effects of English and Persian Cultural Background Knowledge on EFL Learners’ Listening Skill

Abstract

This research compared the impacts of Persian and English cultural background knowledge on Iranian EFL learners’ listening skill. To that purpose, the Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT) was given to 86 Iranian EFL students; 50 of them were chosen as research participants. The respondents were then divided into two equal experimental groups (EGs) at random (Persian culture and English culture). A listening pretest was then given to both groups. The individuals in both EGs were then given the treatment. The researchers taught one EG by using the English cultural materials, while they taught the other group through the Persian cultural materials. The data were analyzed by utilizing paired samples and independent samples t-tests after the listening posttest was administered. The results showed that both EGs performed better on their posttests than on their pretests, and that there were no significant differences between the impacts of English cultural background knowledge and Persian cultural background knowledge on the listening skills of EFL students. The implications of this research can persuade EFL English teachers to incorporate more cultural-based materials into their teaching process.