LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
TESOL 550

About the Course

Is it necessary for an ESL or EFL teacher to be knowledgeable about other cultures? What does an ESL teacher need to know about world cultures that will enhance his teaching skill and classroom management? What do ESL/EFL students need to know about each other's cultures? This course will explore the basic processes of intercultural communication with a view toward creating understanding between people of different cultures, backgrounds, and communication styles. Topics to be addressed will include the socio-cultural, psycho-cultural, and environmental influences on language and communication, and how ESL teachers can use this knowledge to make instruction of students from diverse cultural backgrounds less problematic and more effective.

Textbooks

Gudykunst, W. and Kim, Y. (2002). Communicating with Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication, 4th Edition. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-232124-5

Fantini, A. (ed.). (1997). New Ways of Teaching Culture. New Ways in TESOL Series II; J. Richards, series ed. Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. ISBN 0-939-791-70-6

Course Requirements

Online Discussions  (30%)
Midterm Exam  (20%)
Presentation (15%)
Final Exam  (35%)
 

Schedule of Classes
(subject to change)