Article review

The article I have read is devoted to the analysis of culture awareness in language
teaching and learning. Undoubtedly, the integration of culture and language can
contribute greatly to the expansion of general knowledge, language ability, and
cultural sensitivity. It is clear that the promotion of foreign culture study into the
teaching process ensures students` abilities to become competent speakers. The
article reflects on the process of gaining cultural awareness while studying language,
referring to different sources. I am inclined to support Knutson (2006), as he notes
that such process should start with helping students to recognize the features of
their own culture in relation to other countries. The article enlightens the reader
with the instructions for building cultural understanding created by Galloway (1984).
It is based on convention, connotation, conditioning, and comprehension. Reflecting
on my experience of studying English, I can say that the convention type has
widened my knowledge as it relies on context-determined factors, which helps to
understand better a foreign speaker`s perspective. Conditioning serves as a benefit
while promoting students` abilities to interpret culturally relevant behaviors which
differ from their own.

The article emphasizes the teacher`s role in the development of students` cultural
awareness. I second the idea proposed by Kramsch and Sullivan (1996): teachers`
cultural knowledge is the main source for students to learn about. To my mind, this
statement again proves the vital importance of our course – Foreign Culture
teaching. The article refers to Englebert (2004) who states that without cultural
awareness the true meaning of a phrase is lost.

The article also presents some contradictory views. For instance, Kumaravadivelu
(2003) considers culture awareness teaching as inappropriate, suggesting that every
group of students is never monocultural. I disagree with this opinion as it is my firm
belief that, culture teaching concerns our national cultural identity but not our inner
personality. Also, I don`t support the static view of culture provided by Liddicoat
(2002) which is based on the absence of the link between language and culture. I am
convinced that, language is a part of the culture and both of them carry meanings in
communication.

To sum up, the article provides the reader with a general outlook on cultural
awareness, culture teaching, its conflict, and implications for language teachers. It
presents a shift in viewing culture teaching and emphasizes the importance of
implying culture awareness into the foreign language teaching process.