Teaching Literature & Culture I Flashcards
What is culture in TEFL?
Shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and artifacts of a group, including both visible (traditions, food, dress) and invisible (values, worldviews, communication styles) aspects.
What is the Iceberg Model of Culture?
- Visible Culture: Traditions, customs, food, dress.
- Invisible Culture: Norms, values, communication styles, worldviews.
What are common challenges in teaching culture?
Avoiding stereotyping.
Ensuring authenticity in cultural materials.
Teaching culture as dynamic, not fixed.
Why is literature used in TEFL?
Develops reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Enhances critical thinking and analytical skills.
Encourages cultural awareness and empathy.
How does literature promote intercultural competence?
Provides insight into foreign perspectives.
Encourages Fremdverstehen (understanding foreign viewpoints).
Allows learners to explore cultural identity and diversity.
What are important criteria for selecting literary texts in TEFL?
Age-appropriateness.
Linguistic complexity (suitable for learners’ proficiency level).
Cultural & intercultural relevance.
Engagement & motivation (relatable themes, personal connections).
What is Fremdverstehen?
A German concept in TEFL that emphasizes understanding foreign perspectives, analyzing cultural differences, and developing intercultural empathy.
What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
The idea that language influences thought and shapes how people perceive the world.
What is the difference between linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity?
Linguistic determinism: Language completely determines thought.
Linguistic relativity: Language influences but does not fully determine thought.
How does the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis impact TEFL?
- Helps learners reflect on how language shapes culture and perception.
- Encourages critical thinking about word meanings across languages.
- Supports comparative discussions on language diversity.
