WHY AND HOW TO INTEGRATE CULTURAL ELEMENTS IN A LANGUAGE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Pelin Hamurabi Sözen
Ma Ed., Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey, phamurabi@hotmail.com

Abstract

Learners are active participants of language learning period. They no longer just take notes and fill in forms or tests. So far many studies have shown that, the more the learners take role in class activities the more they are able to perform. What we know leaves its place to what we can do with the language acquired. There are many approaches, methods, techniques to help learners in this period however it would be better if there are certain standards to gain language awareness. It is inevitable to see that world is global. Life without knowing a foreign language seems almost inescapable. People live in world where mobility and communication is in the heart of many activities. This idea is valid for educational and business life. In both means, there is a need for not only the language but also the cultural elements which are more vivid in a language. In this sense, curriculum is the core. It serves as a framework. Appropriate changes should be done in classroom teaching and curriculum depending on your students’ needs. Teaching environment should give a sense of intercultural awareness since understanding diverse cultural perspectives is a part of life-long learning. So as to reach this aim certain elements should be integrated into curriculum in a proper way.

Keywords: Multiculturalism, curriculum, communication, cultural elements in a language class, multilingualism, intercultural competence.