Integrating Culture in the Algerian Third Year English Textbook (New Prospects). Culture Importance and its Influence on Language Teaching/Learning.

Abstract

This Master Dissertation seeks to examine the ways in which culture is integrated in the Algerian Third Year English Textbook (New Prospects). The importance of culture as well as its influence on Language Teaching/Learning have been carefully scrutinized in order to address the following issues: Do teachers have knowledge about the English culture and about its importance in language teaching/learning? Is integrating Culture (local, foreign) in the Algerian third year English textbook (New Prospects) helpful? Do teachers integrate culture in classroom, and use it as a strategy to motivate learners? Are learners affected by integrating culture, and do they have desire to learn it along with language? To achieve the above mentioned aims our Dissertation has been divided into two main chapters. Chapter One has been purely theoretical, where the concept of culture itself and its various aspects and characteristics have been highlighted. Chapter Two, on the other hand, has been practical, where the information which has been gathered by the means of a reliable survey directed to English language high school teachers has been examined carefully. This study reached an inclusive conclusion that integrating culture in the Algerian Third Year English Textbook (New Prospects) presented a significant contribution in language teaching/learning. However, the local culture is absolutely neglected compared to the English (target) or foreign culture, and the cultural aspects which are integrated, are in many ways considered not compatible with the Algerian traditional educational system.