Going Global: Rethinking Culture Teaching in ELT Contexts

This paper argues that the manner in which culture is taught to English learners needs to be rethought in light of the globalisation of the English language. It is maintained that change is needed in at least three areas. First, English teaching professionals should discard the notion that the US and Great Britain represent the sole ‘target cultures’ of the English language. Second, they should rethink the goals of culture and language education to better meet their students' diverse needs. And third, ELT professionals should do more to design and/or select teaching materials that are international and inclusive in scope. The paper concludes that EFL/ESL instructors should better educate themselves and their students on world cultures to promote genuine linguistic/cultural awareness and international understanding.