Intercultural Approach to ELT in China Shanghai University Zhuang Enping December 29, 2008

Three parts to be discussed 1. Teaching methodology and Social development 2. Objective of ELT 3. How to achieve the objective

Part 1 Teaching methodology and social development Perspective from ELT reform ELT in China has seen its changes from the grammar-translation method to the direct method, to the audio-lingual method, to the communicative approach My view to these changes is: The social development brings about the changes of teaching methodology

Perspective from social development Since 1978 Start of reform and opening-up WTO- World Trade Organization Economic globalization International cooperation/projects/exchanges international trade/ business joint ventures/ multinational corporations mergers and acquisitions cross cultural marriage

Intercultural communication The problem we are facing: learning foreign cultures understanding cultural differences managing cultural conflicts Intercultural (communication) competence

Part 2 Objective of ELT To develop students’ comprehensive skills of the English language (English-teaching Syllabus) Students are strong in linguistic competence or even communicative competence, but weak in intercultural (communication) competence in their job performance in the intercultural context.

The competence of English majors in the intercultural workplace refers to the following (English-teaching Syllabus): to communicate and collaborate with each other; to mediate and adapt to different working environments; to present suggestions and participate in discussion; to organize people and work; to understand people and handle any work or emergency; to be flexible in solving problems 外语专业的学生在工作中的运用能力主要指，能够从事不同文化间交流 与合作的能力，协调能力，适应工作的能力，独立提出建议和讨论问题 的能力，组织能力，知人处事的能力，灵活应变的能力。

This competence is not linguistic competence, not communicative competence, but intercultural (communication) competence What is intercultural competence (ICC) My definition of ICC refers to the competence to accomplish a specific task in the intercultural context through an appropriate and effective communication 跨文化能力是一种通过得体和有效的沟通在跨文化语 境中能完成任务的一种能力。

Intercultural Competence Model Intercultural Competence Global Mentality Cultural Adaptation Knowledge Communication Management Social Customs Religion ValueHistory Knowledge Relates to Culture Linguistic Ability Nonverbal Communication Ability Intercultural Awareness Intercultural Perspective Psychological Adaptation Flexibility Linguistic Ability Communication Strategies Language Skills Pragmatic Ability Textual Ability Based on Chen’s model

Part 3 How to achieve the objective One Approach Intercultural Approach to ELT It aims to develop learners’ ICC by means of language learning or teaching Three steps to ICC Step 1: Intercultural Knowledge and Awareness Step 2: Intercultural Adaptation Step 3: Intercultural Skills Three steps can be integrated in teaching to achieve its objective

Intercultural Approach English text books ICC based text books Social Context Cultural Knowledge Knowledge Relates to ICC Knowledge/ Structure of Language, Communication Cases Practical Context (Cases/Simulated Situation) Integrated Training: Global Mentality Cultural Adaptation Communication Management INTERCULTURALCONPETENCEINTERCULTURALCONPETENCE Intercultural Competence Knowledge Awareness Skills Poor Intercultural Competence Strong

Intercultural Approach: Method Reading for cultural implication Listening for speaking Writing Case based intercultural communication Effective communication Translation and interpretation By LSRWTICCOthers Aim Intercultural Communication Competence

*Note: AT-Aim of Teaching; TM- Teaching Methods; PT-Process of Teaching Teacher’s Instruction Teacher’s Instruction (auxiliary role) Students’ Discussion & Analysis (leading role) Teacher’s Summary (auxiliary role) Students’ Practice (leading role) Teacher’s Summary (auxiliary role) Self Study Inserting Cultural Elements Case Analysis Role Playing & Simulation Activities Case Collection Exploring Cultural Information in Language Global Mentality ·Knowledge ·Global Mentality ·Knowledge · Communication Management ·Global Mentality ·Cultural Adaptation ·Knowledge ·Communication Management Intercultural Approach: Techniques ·Global Mentality ·Knowledge ·Communication Management ATAT TMTM PTPT Intercultural Competence

Intercultural Approach to ELT claims that by learning a foreign language, we should understand its culture; by understanding its culture, we should identify misunderstandings; by identifying the causes leading to misunderstandings, we can have an effective intercultural communication.

Conclusion More work to be done Textbook writing ICC textbook Language based textbooks: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Translation, etc. Classroom teaching Teacher’s training

Any comments and suggestions? Thanks