There are many reasons to learn a second language. Studying a foreign language provides advantages in business, military, technology, government, medicine, marketing and several other areas. More than just words, language is essential to communicating beliefs and customs, sharing traditions and culture and preserving values. Students learning a second language must also access the culture influencing that language.
Educators agree that students exposed to cultural materials and immersed in culturally rich environments acquire a second language more efficiently because their background knowledge makes comprehension less complicated. The online Master of Education (MEd) in Teacher Leadership with a Specialization in ESL program at Lamar University not only equips graduates with skills in educational design, methodologies and techniques. It also prepares them to lead classrooms that are aware of the needs of English language learners and the ways culture impacts language learning.
Blending Language and Culture
“Language is the carrier of culture, and culture is transmitted through language,” author Rongmei Yu writes in a recent article about culture and foreign language acquisition in the Journal of Language Teaching and Research. “As long as a language is in use, the culture it represents will survive. Even if a culture is wiped out, it can still be studied by looking at its language. Culture and language … are considered … principal and inseparable,” notes Yu.
Therefore, learning a language goes beyond just the alphabet. Beyond learning the rules of grammar and word arrangements, learning a language means understanding the customs and societal behaviors that inform that language. For English as a second language (ESL) students, familiarity with the culture of the language they are studying makes a critical difference in the type of speaker students become.
Gaining cultural context can mean the difference between speakers who do and do not understand the connotations of words and the world they create. A recent ARC Publications report notes that culture is the foundation of communication: “When foreign language learners that have been taught the culture alongside the language encode their messages, they will not do so from a void, but from a deep understanding of what they are saying, its implications and history. They will be able to do much more than communicate simple needs and ideas, and they will be much better equipped to interact within the target language culture.”
Culture’s Influence on Language Instruction
Culture is crucial in all educational contexts, especially language acquisition, so how culture is defined is of critical note. A recent Berlitz article reports ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality and religion define culture and should be kept in mind by ESL students. The article suggests strategies teachers can use to create a cultural framework in the classroom:
- Make cultural learning materials available.
- Use proverbs to analyze the differences and similarities between cultures.
- Roleplay to understand past miscommunications and develop strategies for future interactions.
- Present students as cultural resources.
- Use technology for multicultural activities.
Experts agree it’s easier to learn and remember information if we can make connections and associations between new material and other knowledge. When students learn a new word and have had a meaningful cultural interaction, it naturally makes them more curious about the language. Experts agree that a person must learn language and culture simultaneously to achieve proper linguistic comprehension. It is nearly impossible to extricate the influences culture and language have on one another as they are interdependent.
Blending Culture With Learning
Studies show that the more emphasis placed on ingraining culture in language education, the better. Education leaders who support a blend of culture and curriculum in schools foster student learning and strong relationships among students, teachers, faculty, parents and the community.
Students in Lamar University’s advanced education program study the impact of culture on language development in courses such as Methods and Approaches in Teaching ESL, Literacy for English Language Learners and Schools as Learning Communities. These courses emphasize ESL education and language development as both factors and results of culture and society.
Educational leaders who consider learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds will be much more successful in achieving positive student outcomes. An advanced degree in teacher leadership and ESL can help educators hone this ability for future learners.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online M.Ed. Teacher Leadership with a Specialization in ESL program.
