Abstract
Due to a variety of reasons, overseas ESL learners often experience anxiety when faced with the prospect of having to speak in English. The fear of embarrassment and loss of face can have a negative impact on their motivation to speak and this may deprive them of valuable opportunities to enhance their oral English through practice. They may be able to overcome their reticence by adopting and constructing temporary identities, or roles, in make-believe communities during drama-based activities in the classroom. Such short-term identities are 'masks' which camouflage their real identities as they enact scenes in pretend-situations. This, combined with learning being centred on the participants, can generate the sort of relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere that may help diminish their inhibitions. The outcome of this could possibly be enhanced motivation to speak. Their investment in their speech acts for the purpose of creating imaginary communities in which they develop and establish short-term identities in concert with their co-actors can help create avenues for extended speech production.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 159-169 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Event | ClaSIC 2012: The Fifth CLS (Centre for Language Studies) International Conference - National University of Singapore, Singapore , Singapore Duration: 6 Dec 2012 → 8 Dec 2012 Conference number: 5th http://clasic2012.blogspot.com.au/ http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/cls/CLaSIC/clasic2012/index.htm http://clasic2012.blogspot.com/ |
Conference
Conference | ClaSIC 2012 |
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Abbreviated title | ClaSIC 2012 |
Country/Territory | Singapore |
City | Singapore |
Period | 6/12/12 → 8/12/12 |
Other | Theme CLaSIC 2012 – Culture in Foreign Language Learning: Framing and Reframing the Issue The National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University defines culture as an integrated pattern of human behavior that includes thoughts, communications, languages, practices, beliefs, values, customs, courtesies, rituals, manners of interacting and roles, relationships and expected behaviors of a racial, ethnic, religious or social group; and the ability to transmit the above to succeeding generations. This definition of culture makes it obvious that language is more than just a means to express a culture; it is in fact an integral part of that culture. Language and culture are therefore closely intertwined and it is hardly possible to teach a language without culture, for culture provides the necessary context for language use. It is therefore not surprising that the US National Standards in Foreign Language Education lists the understanding of the target language culture and its perspectives, practices and products as a key objective of foreign language education. In making the study of the role of culture in foreign language learning the theme of CLaSIC 2012, the Organizing Committee acknowledges its undoubted importance and encourages participants to actively contemplate and debate this essential issue. Through scholarly and critical interactions with a diverse range of subthemes, ranging from “culture, identity and motivation” to “intercultural language teaching” and “ethnographic approaches to language teaching,” it is hoped that a keener understanding of the multi-faceted relationship between culture and foreign language education can be achieved. Sub-Themes Culture and culture awareness in foreign language learning Instructional approaches for culture teaching Intercultural language teaching Culture, identity and motivation Acculturation and language socialization Heritage language education Assessment and evaluation in the teaching of culture Curriculum and materials development for culture teaching Educating teachers for culture teaching Ethnographic approaches to language teaching Study abroad and language contact Transculturalism in foreign language learning Sociolinguistics and foreign language teaching Other topics |
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