Objectives and competences
The objective of the course is to:
• examine the relationship between language and culture
• develop understanding of intercultural communication processes
• develop analytical skills in examining intercultural patterns and interactions
• enhance appreciation of the diverse ways of communicating in English and in Slovene
• enable students to identify possible areas of conflict/misunderstanding in intercultural communication
• enable students to apply their knowledge to the analysis of concrete teaching methods and materials, encouraging them to create their own teaching materials.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Language, culture and identity
• Basic concepts and definitions: Intercultural communication, awareness, competence, cultural literacy
• Slovene-English intercultural communication (verbal and non-verbal aspects, e.g. personal space, body language; speech acts; communication breakdowns, culture shock)
• Cultural issues in ELT
• Cultural appropriateness in teaching methods and materials: analyzing the existing teaching materials and creating new ones
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• seminar
• seminar paper
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course students will be able to:
the relationship between language, culture and identity
the significance of intercultural awareness, competence and cultural literacy for communication
the role of cultural patterns that affect verbal and non-verbal communication between speakers of English and Slovene as shown in the use of personal space, body language and in selected speech acts (greetings, invitations, compliments, apologies, complaints etc.)
causes of potential intercultural misunderstandings and communication breakdowns and ways of preventing /repairing them
ways of integrating appropriate intercultural communication components into teaching methods and materials
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
• Developing practical skills for effective and appropriate intercultural communication in different contexts.
• Solving language and learning problems
Readings
Byram, M. 2001. Developing Intercultural Competence and Practice (Language & Intercultural Communication for Education). Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Cramsch, C. 1993. Context and Culture in Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Crowther, J. 2005. Oxford Guide to British and American Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Samovar, L. A, Porter, R. E. and McDaniel, E.R. 2005. Intercultural Communication (A Reader). Wadworth Publishing.
Šabec, N. and Limon, D. 2001. Across Cultures: Slovene-British-American Intercultural Communication. Maribor: Obzorja.
Tomalin, B. and Stempleski, S. 1993. Cultural Awareness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Prerequisits
English at C1/CEFR
