Date of Graduation

Spring 5-21-2021

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

College/School

School of Education

Department/Program

International and Multicultural Education (IME)

First Advisor

Dr. Sedique Popal

Second Advisor

Dr. Luz Navarrette García

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Culture remains one of the crucial issues in foreign language education research worldwide, and theories related to linguistics suggest that culture must be emphasized as an important part of language classrooms. Learning any foreign language without learning the focal culture of it is less meaningful, so it is important to include cultural instruction in every language class. Compounding these already tenuous issues in Mongolia, students have little chance to be exposed to real-life situations where they can interact with native speakers from different cultural backgrounds, so the students face great challenges of not being able to become fluent speakers of English. To meet students’ needs, the lessons should include practical, productive, and authentic context, so that teachers can continue to use materials that will motivate students and make them feel like enthusiastic learners. In addition, teaching culture can engage students in the classroom actively because culture-based activities and tasks are appealing to students. Therefore, when the students are learning English, not only they need to know the culture and traditions of the language, but they should also know how to use their language skills on a daily basis or in their career.

The handbook created for this project demonstrates how culture can be integrated with English language teaching through American holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. It serves as an example of teaching the English language in a way that integrates American culture, using the most relevant teaching model and a wide variety of exercises. It can be an additional text for English as a Second Language and English as a Foreign Language teachers. The handbook consists of an introduction, overview, and two units under the topics of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Each unit includes a teachers’ guide and a wide variety of activities integrated with vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

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