Trading culture, teaching culture: the role of the Dutch language tutor in the acquisition of intercultural skills at beginners level

Abstract

In a beginners language course intercultural skills are often acquired implicitly. An earlier investigation into culture in beginners courses of Dutch as a foreign language (Van Rossum and Vismans 2004) demonstrated that teaching materials for beginners contain a wealth of cultural information. However, it also pointed to the absence of a systematic approach in providing students with a critical perspective on foreign (and home) culture, and in training their intercultural skills. Student questionnaires suggested that tutors play a significant role in the acquisition of such skills. This article aims, first, to deepen our insight into the role of the language tutor in the acquisition of intercultural skills at beginners level. We concentrate on this level, because it is here that the foundation for the future development of intercultural skills is laid. Yet it remains relatively under-researched. Our second aim is to identify examples of successful processes in the acquisition of intercultural skills as well as examples of successful ‘products’ (skills themselves). The analysis is based on a variety of data from classroom observations, questionnaires and/or tutor and student diaries.