영미문화 이해를 통한 영어 수업지도 방법

Ways of Teaching English Classes by Understanding English Culture

This study discusses several points concerning teaching cultures in English classroom: Definitions of culture, objectives of teaching cultures, examples of cultural contents, various methods of teaching cultures, and evaluation of cultural learning. First, culture is defined in terms of a way of the target language people’s life and their behavioral patterns in the country. The understanding the culture in foreign language learning and teaching is justified under the assumption that language is not separated from the cultures. Second, developing intercultural communication skills and understanding native culture through target culture are main objectives of teaching culture. Without these, there are many misunderstandings, inaccuracies, confusions, and developing false knowledges in the classroom situation. Third, specific cultural contents are enumerated for the reference of English teachers. Though recent studies has been issued in this field, there would be more needs for correct introducing cultural contents. Fourth, various teaching methods are introduced, such as culture asides, culture capsules, culture assimilator, mini-drama, audio-motor unit, newspapers and magazines, songs. Besides, this paper has tried to suggest specific methods of teaching culture in high school classroom situation. Lastly, the authors feel the cultural understanding is not only a matter of objective or rationale but a matter of procedure or methodology. Teaching culture can not be left undone till language is mastered. It must be closely incorporated into the whole process of the language learning itself.