C/LI/15. Culture and Language

This paper looks at culture within the study of a foreign language, whether learning or teaching. It examines what the role of culture is in the experience of learning a foreign language. Is it a necessary part of the learning process, or is it simply a privilege to undertake such study. It holds the view that culture in an integral part of the learning process, and that culture and language learning or inextricably linked. Learning a language by rote or in a classroom is insufficient as it only affords the learner knowledge and a low level of understanding. If a study of culture is undertaken, both knowledge and a high degree of understanding is obtained, as it its found that meaning is dependent of on its social context. However, it does criticise the form of cultural learning as it reinforces and teaches vulgar and uneducated stereotypes that does and injustice to the target culture. It finds that cultural learning should not be undertaken by vague and inaccurate social situations but instead should be focused on the sub-cultural level where the majority of interactions take place. In that way the learner is better prepared to learn and cope with his or her experience in a new culture.