Representations of Cultures and Cultivation of Intercultural Communication Competence in Chinese High School English Textbooks: A Longitudinal Comparative Study

Research Article
Open access

Representations of Cultures and Cultivation of Intercultural Communication Competence in Chinese High School English Textbooks: A Longitudinal Comparative Study

Handi Gao 1
  • 1 Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Longtou Sub-district, Dalian/Lv Shunkou District, Liaoning Province, 116000, China    
  • *corresponding author
LNEP Vol.6
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-915371-37-9
ISBN (Online): 978-1-915371-38-6

Abstract

Intercultural communication competence (ICC) is becoming increasingly important with the ongoing globalization and researchers have emphasized the significance of cultivating such competence in English language teaching. As a major tool for language learning, textbooks play an important role in cultivating ICC in language classrooms. This study selected two versions of textbooks published by the same press to analyze and compare the cultural representations from the perspectives of the distribution of cultures, language activities, and cultural activities. Besides, the study also focuses on the links between textbook activities and the cultivation of ICC. It was found that the phenomenon of cultural imbalances, especially those dominated by the UK, the US and China, with the increase in the proportion of Chinese culture and a wider cultural coverage in the new edition. The results also revealed that the activities in the textbooks lack clear teaching objectives and that the ICC cultivation is superficial. This research mainly puts forward suggestions on the ICC cultivation in language teaching and the compilation of textbooks. In addition, it is also suggestive of the definition of intercultural communication and the arrangement of language classroom activities, etc.

Keywords:

ELT textbooks, culture, intercultural communication competence, culture activities, longitudinal study

Gao,H. (2023). Representations of Cultures and Cultivation of Intercultural Communication Competence in Chinese High School English Textbooks: A Longitudinal Comparative Study. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,6,47-61.
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References

[1]. Liu, Y., Zhang, L. J., & Yang, L. (2021). A Corpus Linguistics Approach to the Representation of Western Religious Beliefs in Ten Series of Chinese University English Language Teaching Textbooks. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.

[2]. Liu, Y., Zhang, L. J., & May, S. (2021). Dominance of Anglo-American cultural representations in University English textbooks in China: A Corpus Linguistics analysis. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 35(1), 83–101.

[3]. Byram, M., & Wagner, M. (2018). Making a difference: Language teaching for intercultural and international dialogue. Foreign Language Annals, 51(1), 140-151

[4]. He, L., F. (2018). Analysis of the current situation of the integration of Chinese culture in senior high school English textbooks. Journal of Teaching and Management (12),84-87. (in Chinese)

[5]. Nhem, D. (2020, July). Culture and ELT: Cambodian teachers' perception and practice of textbook adaptation to realize intercultural awareness. In ELT Forum: Journal of English Language Teaching (Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 65-74).

[6]. Byram, M., & Masuhara, H. (2013). Intercultural competence. Applied linguistics and materials development, 143-160.

[7]. Moran, P. R. (2001). Teaching culture: Perspective in practice. Boston: Heinel, Cengage Learning.

[8]. Tomlinson, B. (2003). Materials evaluation. Developing materials for language teaching, 15-36.

[9]. McConachy, T. (2018). Critically engaging with cultural representations in foreign language textbooks. Intercultural Education, 29(1), 77-88.

[10]. Ji, Y. (2011). Strategies for cultivating intercultural communication competence in high school English teaching in the new curriculum. Education Exploration (09),48-49.(in Chinese)

[11]. Zhang Y., P. (2003). Re-understanding of language teaching and cultural teaching. Foreign Language World(03),41-48.(in Chinese)

[12]. Wu, X., W. & Ju, M. J. (2015). Analysis of problems existing in English teaching in senior high schools and suggestions for solutions. The Inservice Education and Training of School Teachers (02),67-71. (in Chinese)

[13]. Tang, S. (2001). A comparative analysis of the cultural content of the old and new editions of senior high school English textbooks. Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition), 295-296+303.(in Chinese)

[14]. Wang, L., J. (2008). A Cultural Orientation Analysis of the New Senior High School English Textbooks in the People's Education Edition (Master's Thesis, Central China Normal University) (in Chinese)

[15]. Qiu, J., J. (2013). Literature Review on Studies of Cultures in High School English Textbooks from 2003—2013. Journal of Jiangxi Institute of Education( Social Sciences) (04),174-176.(in Chinese)

[16]. Shao, Y., Y. (2017). Analysis on the core literacy training of high school English textbooks in the People's Education Edition (Master's Thesis, Shandong Normal University).https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD201801&filename=1017226422.(in Chinese)

[17]. Chen, B. H., & Huang, B., H. (2019). Problems and Solving Strategies of English Teaching Materials in Senior High Schools——Based on the Perspective of the Core Literacy of English Teaching. Journal of Education and Development(09),39-46. (in Chinese)

[18]. Lei, L., C. (2010). A preliminary exploration of lexical block teaching based on Beijing Normal University's senior high school English textbook. Foreign Language Teaching in Schools(05),26-31.(in Chinese)

[19]. Lin, X., L. & He, A., P. (2006). A comparison of grammar in old version and new version senior high school English textbooks. Foreign Language Teaching in Schools (01),12-15.(in Chinese)

[20]. Guilherme, M. (2000). Intercultural competence. Routledge encyclopedia of language teaching and learning, 297-300.

[21]. Yang, Y. & Zhuang, E., P. (2007). Constructing a framework of intercultural communicative competence in foreign language teaching. Foreign Language World(04),13-21+43. (in Chinese)

[22]. Byram, M., & Feng, A. (2004). Culture and language learning: Teaching, research and scholarship. Language Teaching, 37(3), 149–168.

[23]. Corbett, J. (2003), An Intercultural Approach to English Language Teaching . Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

[24]. Peterson, B. (2004). Cultural Intelligence. London: Intercultural Press, Inc.

[25]. Peng, Q., L. (2022). The core literacies of intercultural communication talents. Journal of Northwestern Polytechnical University (Social Sciences)”(02),68-75. (in Chinese)

[26]. Davidson, R., & Liu, Y. (2020). Reaching the world outside: cultural representation and perceptions of global citizenship in Japanese elementary school English textbooks. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 33(1), 32-49.

[27]. Tajeddin, Z., & Pakzadian, M. (2020). Representation of inner, outer and expanding circle varieties and cultures in global ELT textbooks. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 5(1), 1-15.

[28]. Jiang, S., L. (2012). A brief look at the problem of weak cultural awareness in high school English teaching. Education Research Monthly(04),102-104..(in Chinese)

[29]. Zhang, L. (2003). Analysis of Chinese cultural aphasia in intercultural communication. Journal of Southwest University for Nationalities．Humanities ＆ Social Sciences (08),339-341.(in Chinese)

[30]. Liu, L., H, Dai, H., L. & Huang, Z., D. (2018). Analysis and research on Chinese cultural aphasia among English majors. Technology Enhanced Foreign Languages (05),42-46.(in Chinese)

Cite this article

Gao,H. (2023). Representations of Cultures and Cultivation of Intercultural Communication Competence in Chinese High School English Textbooks: A Longitudinal Comparative Study. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,6,47-61.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies (ICIHCS 2022), Part 5

ISBN：978-1-915371-37-9(Print) / 978-1-915371-38-6(Online)
Editor：Muhammad Idrees, Matilde Lafuente-Lechuga
Conference website: https://www.icihcs.org/
Conference date: 18 December 2022
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.6
ISSN：2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Liu, Y., Zhang, L. J., & Yang, L. (2021). A Corpus Linguistics Approach to the Representation of Western Religious Beliefs in Ten Series of Chinese University English Language Teaching Textbooks. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.

[2]. Liu, Y., Zhang, L. J., & May, S. (2021). Dominance of Anglo-American cultural representations in University English textbooks in China: A Corpus Linguistics analysis. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 35(1), 83–101.

[3]. Byram, M., & Wagner, M. (2018). Making a difference: Language teaching for intercultural and international dialogue. Foreign Language Annals, 51(1), 140-151

[4]. He, L., F. (2018). Analysis of the current situation of the integration of Chinese culture in senior high school English textbooks. Journal of Teaching and Management (12),84-87. (in Chinese)

[5]. Nhem, D. (2020, July). Culture and ELT: Cambodian teachers' perception and practice of textbook adaptation to realize intercultural awareness. In ELT Forum: Journal of English Language Teaching (Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 65-74).

[6]. Byram, M., & Masuhara, H. (2013). Intercultural competence. Applied linguistics and materials development, 143-160.

[7]. Moran, P. R. (2001). Teaching culture: Perspective in practice. Boston: Heinel, Cengage Learning.

[8]. Tomlinson, B. (2003). Materials evaluation. Developing materials for language teaching, 15-36.

[9]. McConachy, T. (2018). Critically engaging with cultural representations in foreign language textbooks. Intercultural Education, 29(1), 77-88.

[10]. Ji, Y. (2011). Strategies for cultivating intercultural communication competence in high school English teaching in the new curriculum. Education Exploration (09),48-49.(in Chinese)

[11]. Zhang Y., P. (2003). Re-understanding of language teaching and cultural teaching. Foreign Language World(03),41-48.(in Chinese)

[12]. Wu, X., W. & Ju, M. J. (2015). Analysis of problems existing in English teaching in senior high schools and suggestions for solutions. The Inservice Education and Training of School Teachers (02),67-71. (in Chinese)

[13]. Tang, S. (2001). A comparative analysis of the cultural content of the old and new editions of senior high school English textbooks. Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition), 295-296+303.(in Chinese)

[14]. Wang, L., J. (2008). A Cultural Orientation Analysis of the New Senior High School English Textbooks in the People's Education Edition (Master's Thesis, Central China Normal University) (in Chinese)

[15]. Qiu, J., J. (2013). Literature Review on Studies of Cultures in High School English Textbooks from 2003—2013. Journal of Jiangxi Institute of Education( Social Sciences) (04),174-176.(in Chinese)

[16]. Shao, Y., Y. (2017). Analysis on the core literacy training of high school English textbooks in the People's Education Edition (Master's Thesis, Shandong Normal University).https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD201801&filename=1017226422.(in Chinese)

[17]. Chen, B. H., & Huang, B., H. (2019). Problems and Solving Strategies of English Teaching Materials in Senior High Schools——Based on the Perspective of the Core Literacy of English Teaching. Journal of Education and Development(09),39-46. (in Chinese)

[18]. Lei, L., C. (2010). A preliminary exploration of lexical block teaching based on Beijing Normal University's senior high school English textbook. Foreign Language Teaching in Schools(05),26-31.(in Chinese)

[19]. Lin, X., L. & He, A., P. (2006). A comparison of grammar in old version and new version senior high school English textbooks. Foreign Language Teaching in Schools (01),12-15.(in Chinese)

[20]. Guilherme, M. (2000). Intercultural competence. Routledge encyclopedia of language teaching and learning, 297-300.

[21]. Yang, Y. & Zhuang, E., P. (2007). Constructing a framework of intercultural communicative competence in foreign language teaching. Foreign Language World(04),13-21+43. (in Chinese)

[22]. Byram, M., & Feng, A. (2004). Culture and language learning: Teaching, research and scholarship. Language Teaching, 37(3), 149–168.

[23]. Corbett, J. (2003), An Intercultural Approach to English Language Teaching . Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

[24]. Peterson, B. (2004). Cultural Intelligence. London: Intercultural Press, Inc.

[25]. Peng, Q., L. (2022). The core literacies of intercultural communication talents. Journal of Northwestern Polytechnical University (Social Sciences)”(02),68-75. (in Chinese)

[26]. Davidson, R., & Liu, Y. (2020). Reaching the world outside: cultural representation and perceptions of global citizenship in Japanese elementary school English textbooks. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 33(1), 32-49.

[27]. Tajeddin, Z., & Pakzadian, M. (2020). Representation of inner, outer and expanding circle varieties and cultures in global ELT textbooks. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 5(1), 1-15.

[28]. Jiang, S., L. (2012). A brief look at the problem of weak cultural awareness in high school English teaching. Education Research Monthly(04),102-104..(in Chinese)

[29]. Zhang, L. (2003). Analysis of Chinese cultural aphasia in intercultural communication. Journal of Southwest University for Nationalities．Humanities ＆ Social Sciences (08),339-341.(in Chinese)

[30]. Liu, L., H, Dai, H., L. & Huang, Z., D. (2018). Analysis and research on Chinese cultural aphasia among English majors. Technology Enhanced Foreign Languages (05),42-46.(in Chinese)

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