International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2017, Vol. 13(1) 79-95

An Exploration of English Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Culture Teaching and Its Effects on Students’ Motivation

Şeyma Yeşil & Hakan Demiröz

pp. 79 - 95   |  Manu. Number: ijpe.2017.005

Published online: February 01, 2017  |   Number of Views: 416  |  Number of Download: 901


Abstract

As the seamless connection between language and culture is commensurate with related research carried on language and culture; language is greatly affected and structured by cultural values, attitudes and beliefs. The goal of the present study is to investigate and analyse English language teachers’ perceptions and opinions about the integration of target culture into the foreign language courses. In the same vein, this research aims at finding out the connection between the instructors’ thoughts about the integration of the target culture elements and students’ motivation in English classes. Having been randomly selected on a voluntary basis, the participants of the study included 7 English language instructors, working at a Turkish state university. Semi-structured interviews were implemented as the instrument to elicit data. The results were analysed qualitatively and indicated that the instructors espouse the incorporation of target language culture into the courses; however they cannot allocate enough time to have culturally embedded courses. They claim that these two inextricably connected fields are to be evaluated concurrently in L2 courses. As for the effects of target culture teaching on students’ academic achievement and motivation, they unanimously agree that it has a positive and motivating impact on their proficiency level of English. 

Keywords: EFL Learners, Target Language Culture, Cultural Differences, Teachers’ Perceptions, Cultural Awareness


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Yesil, S. & Demiroz, H. (2017). An Exploration of English Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Culture Teaching and Its Effects on Students’ Motivation. International Journal of Progressive Education, 13(1), 79-95.

Harvard
Yesil, S. and Demiroz, H. (2017). An Exploration of English Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Culture Teaching and Its Effects on Students’ Motivation. International Journal of Progressive Education, 13(1), pp. 79-95.

Chicago 16th edition
Yesil, Seyma and Hakan Demiroz (2017). "An Exploration of English Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Culture Teaching and Its Effects on Students’ Motivation". International Journal of Progressive Education 13 (1):79-95.