Should teachers teach culture in an ESL class?

1. What is culture?

"Culture" is a broad concept that embraces all aspects of human life. It includes everything people learn to do. It is everything humans have learned. Culture shapes our thoughts and actions, and often does so with a heavy hand" (Seelye 1984-1993).



2. Should we teach culture in an ESL class? If yes, why? If no, why?

Yes, teacher should teach culture in an ESL class.

According to the US senator, Paul Simon, "Knowledge of the world's languages and cultures is more vital than ever. In order to compete in the global community, we must be able to communicate effectively and to appreciate, understand, and be able to work in the framework of other cultures." In the past, culture used to be distinct from language; nowadays, it has become integral to it. If it is important to teach a foreign language to enhance communication, it is also vital to instill in students an intellectual and emotional appreciation of the culture of that foreign language, so that communication will not be impaired. (Paul Simon, US senator)
Learning a language in isolation of its cultural roots prevents one from becoming socialized into its contextual use. Knowledge of linguistic structure alone does not carry with it any special insight into the political, social, religious, or economic system. Or even insight into when you should talk and when you should not. (Seelye 1993, p 10).
"The study of language cannot be divorced from the study of culture, and vice-versa (Seelye p. 22).
"A language is part of a culture and culture is part of language; the two are intricately interwoven so that one cannot separate the two without losing the significance of either language or culture." (Douglas-Brown 1994)



3. As English is an international language, what culture should we teach?

The main Themes of the culture might be: symbolism, value, authority, order, ceremony, love, honor, humor, beauty, and spirit, in addition to intellectuality, individualism, the art of living, realism, common sense, friendship, family, justice, liberty, patriotism, religion, education, conflict, ecology … "Theme" in teaching culture is not just any "topic"; rather it is an "emotionally charged concern, which motivates or strongly influences the culture bearer’s conduct in a wide variety of situations."

Brooks identified ten points around which culture could be based:
1) Symbolism
2) Value
3) Authority
4) Order
5) Ceremony
6) Love
7) Honor
8) Humor
9) Beauty
10) Spirit
He suggested teaching different points at different times.

"There is... a tendency for us to believe that our own reality is the “correct” perception......What appears to you to be an accurate and objective perception of a person, a custom, an idea, is sometimes “jaded” or “stilted” in the view of someone from another culture." (Douglas-Brown 1994)