Volume 6, Issue 7

Representation of Culture in English Language Textbooks

Author

U. Thulasivanthana Lecturer (Probationary) in English Language Learning Zone, Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract: Learners from many countries learn English language for various reasons. Some scholars think that cultural competence is one of the prominent competencies in English language learning apart from acquiring four skills, while others argue that the incorporation of cultural competence in English language learning is not vital.  However, learning a language without paying attention to cultural competence does not offer ideas about the history, social organization, civilization, religion, literature, economy, and political system of a language. Thus, lack of cultural competence in language learning will result in perceiving the culture of the language or people who speak the language as mediocre, stereotypic, or bizarre. The success of learning English language is not measured by how many years the learners have spent learning that language but by the functional capacity of the learners to survive in a foreign environment. Textbooks play a dominant role in raising cultural awareness among students. Therefore, this mixed methods study intends to examine the representation of culture in English language textbooks used in Sri Lanka at the secondary level. The findings of this study will be useful to recognize the importance of fostering cultural competence through English language textbooks.

DOI

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