IDENTIFYING DATA 2020_21
Subject (*) CULTURE IN THE EL CLASSROOM Code 12865204
Study programme
Teaching and Learning English as a Foreign/Second Language (2015)
 Cycle 2nd
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
3 Optional 2Q
Language
Anglès
Department English and German Studies
Coordinator
ESCRIU ROCA, ALBA
 E-mail isabel.oltra@urv.cat
alba.escriu@urv.cat
Lecturers
OLTRA MASSUET, MARIA ISABEL
ESCRIU ROCA, ALBA
Web
General description and relevant information The current challenges regarding the teaching of culture in a foreign language classroom make teachers set forth arguments to deal with culture as a fifth language skill. The concept of culture and its relationship with language, as well as the views on culture in language learning will be widely discussed in this module. In this course, students will examine the contribution and incorporation of the teaching of culture into the EFL classroom and, more specifically, the how and why of teaching culture. Students will be guided through a series of relevant theoretical sources and practical activities related to the teaching of culture in the EFL classroom and will be provided with useful tools and methodology to further develop confidence in their own teaching style and material. Students will be expected to reflect upon and critically analyse: -Goals and principles of teaching culture. -Questions of syllabus design at different academic levels. -Strategies, tips and techniques for teaching culture. -A wide range of materials for teaching culture. Successful completion of the course consists of submitting the required assignments and final project (orally exposed when required) and actively participating in class discussions and activities proving good knowledge of the course content.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
 A5 Identifies, describes, analyses, and evaluates resources, strategies, methods and didactic processes used in teaching English, and applies them adequately in any EFL/ESL context, in line with students’ needs
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B1 Learning to learn
 B6 Communicate information, ideas, conclusions, problems and solutions – and the underlying reasons – clearly and effectively in public or in a particular technical ambit.
Type C Code Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
 A5 Includes cultural resources when teaching English to develop critical and cultural sensitivity
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B1 Be able to use paradigms from other disciplines.
 B6 Intervene effectively and convey relevant information.
Type C Code Learning outcomes

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Culture: Theory, concepts and practices Analysis of practical techniques and resources for teaching culture in the EFL classroom at different levels by using a combination of visual, audio, and reading materials. Exploring the teaching of culture through literature, cinema, Ted Talks, cultural icons, etc.

Analysis of the contribution and incorporation of the teaching of culture into the EFL classroom. Study of research approaches to teaching culture in the foreign language classroom.





Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
 Hours outside the classroom
 (**) Total hours
Introductory activities
2 0 2
Problem solving, exercises
A5
B1
B6
 5 15 20
Presentations / oral communications
A5
B1
B6
 7 20 27
Projects
A5
B1
B6
 4 20 24
Personal attention
2 0 2
 
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities The teacher will introduce the theoretical elements of each topic. The aspects of the course contents, planning, assessment will be explained during the first teaching session.
Problem solving, exercises Each topic of the course syllabus will be introduced in lecture form. Students will be encouraged to contribute opinion and ideas concerning the topic.
Presentations / oral communications Each topic of the course syllabus will be followed by a practical session. Students will be expected to take an active part in the seminars. Each seminar will be related to previous readings or related materials from the suggested bibliography. Students will be invited to prepare and present materials for each seminar session; the different proposals will be discussed in the forum.
Projects
Personal attention

Personalized attention
Description
Students will be encouraged to consult any doubts with the teacher. Likewise, each student will take a tutoring session related to their individual project. Students will be in contact with the teacher throught the course, by means of e-mail or the moodle course web page.

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Problem solving, exercises
A5
B1
B6
 Attending lecture 30%
Presentations / oral communications
A5
B1
B6
 Class attendance and active participation in seminar sessions, as well as creation of teaching materials presented in class.. 20%
Projects
A5
B1
B6
 Project based on the teaching of culture in the EFL classroom. 40%
Others  

Active participation


10%
 
Other comments and second exam session

Los estudiantes matriculados en la URV siguen el sistema ECTS y tienen derecho a las convocatorias de evaluación indicadas en la normativa académica de grado y máster vigente.

Sources of information

Basic

http://ipedr.com/vol33/014-ICLMC2012-L00030.pdf
J. Corbett.An Intercultural Approach to English Language Teaching. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd., 2003.

G. Gay. Preparing for culturally responsive teaching. Journal of Teacher Education.  2002,53 (2): 106–116.
J. J. Irvine, and J. B. Armento.Culturally Responsive Teaching. New York: McGraw Hill, 2001.
E.Hinkel, Culture in Second Language Teaching and Learning (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999)
C. Kramsch, Language and Culture. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).
B. Tomalin, Culture:The Fifth Dimension in Language Skills (2008), http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/culture
C. Reeves. The Effective Dimensions of Interactive Learning on the WWW. In: B. H. Khan, (Ed.),Web-basedinstruction. 1997, pp. 59-66. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology
S. McKay, Teaching English as an International Language: Rethinking Goals and Approaches, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002
Complementary

Recommendations
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.