Teaching Materials in Teaching English as an International Language: Teachers' Perceptions

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: International Experiences and Language Teaching and Learning (Table 8)

Abstract

When learning English as an international language, learners should not be expected to internalize native speakers' cultures, but to communicate their own cultures and beliefs. Mixed methods research was used to examine native and nonnative English-speaking teachers' perceptions of culturally appropriate and effective teaching materials and representations of local cultures and people in English teaching materials. Data were collected using a questionnaire and a follow-up interview. Participants of the study were 200 EFL/ESL teachers from Iran, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Generally, participants agreed that teaching materials should help learners understand both native English and world Englishes. According to the results, the majority of both groups believed that English language classes should incorporate cultural materials drawn from different cultures.

Author

• Aylar Adeh, Simon Fraser University
  Presenting Author