LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:12 December 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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A Study of the Representation of Culture in the Speak Now
and Stretch Textbooks Used in
Chonburi Technological College, Thailand

Ms. Sojipan Ekachai


Courtesy: https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Now-Student-Online-Practice/dp/0194030156

Abstract

The current research considers that language, context, and culture are inextricably linked as their starting point, and this viewpoint has two significant consequences for foreign language teaching. Textbooks have historically been essential in influencing English classrooms. The present research has concentrated on the methods and practices linked to context and culture found in Stretch 1A, Stretch 1B, and Speak Now English textbooks currently used at Chonburi Technological College in Thailand. Content analysis was used to answer the research questions and derive meanings from words or images selected in the Stretch 1A, Stretch 1B, and Speak Now English textbooks to determine the context in which they are used and understand their relationship to one another to draw inferences about the underlying culture. The present study has found concrete links between the English textbooks used by the Chonburi Technological College and various elements of culture employed to facilitate a better understanding of the Thai students' English-speaking countries. All three textbooks under analysis use different cultural teaching methods for non-native learners in interactive classroom activities that allow them to practice English as a communicative, interactive process. Furthermore, the study found that the Speak Now Student Book is more focused on improving students' communication skills, stimulating them to speak confidently and effectively. Through Speak Now Student Book - Online Practice, the students can enhance their listening, speaking, and pronunciation abilities outside of class by allowing them to talk, record, and submit to instructor activities. In contrast with Stretch 1A and Stretch 1B, the Speak Now Student Book is the first English learning book to introduce dialogue videos to provide real-life models of English communication while emphasizing the native English culture.

Keywords: Foreign Language Teaching, English textbooks, Stretch 1A, Stretch 1B, and Speak Now, Chonburi Technological College Thailand

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to examine the representation of culture in two textbooks, Speak Now and Stretch used by one of Thailand's colleges. The aim is to provide Thai students with multicultural awareness that will enable them to be interculturally competent English language learners. The close relationship between language and culture have been widely studied and argued that culture is one of the most important aspects in the field of language education. Knowing the content of the textbooks used in Chonburi Technological College will be able to address specific pedagogical issues.

The majority school sets English as a mandatory subject so that the learner can gain more knowledge of English language. It is a compulsory second language in schools and in tertiary education. Most Thai teachers (52 percent) have low English proficiency, and more than 80 percent of English teachers did not have English major. The presence of cultural content in textbooks is also important for the development of students' communication process to be able to strengthen their intercultural communicative competence.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Ms. Sojipan Ekachai
Assumption University, Thailand
nanyapak.e@gmail.com
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