Culture shapes a person's personality. It is the way people live in a society. Culture includes behavior, dress code, beliefs, and other things. Though the English language is universal, culture can influence its use. English is spoken in many countries around the world. With cultural diversity, the use of English has also changed. The way slang, sentence structure, and idiomatic expressions are used showcase from which cultural context English has evolved. There are some unspoken rules in the use of English in different cultures and the native speakers understand it inherently.
Classroom dynamics
In some cultures, students see the teachers as the main authority. They may not be used to open discussions or topics or sharing of thoughts. This affects classroom interactions and eventually, the results obtained by the students in exams. In Western classrooms, you will find that open discussions are encouraged. The students must practice critical thinking.Perceptions of mistakes or errors
Many people make mistakes and try to correct them. Some cultures view making errors in front of others as a symbol of failure. But in other cultures, it is considered to be normal. So, when a student is learning English in a classroom, he or she may hesitate to answer questions asked by the teacher thinking that fellow classmates may laugh if the student doesn't give the proper answer to the question. This affects English learning as talking in English most of the time and using new vocabulary in sentences can help to develop English language skills.Relevance in language learning materials
If the teachers include culturally relevant information and examples in the English learning materials, then the students will be able to learn better. As English is not their first language, the students will feel motivated to hear their mother tongue.Intercultural experiences
In a classroom, if the students get the chance to interact with native speakers then they will have more opportunities to learn better. They will know about the applications of English learning.Adapting to different English dialects
The English language will pick up different dialects in different cultures. Adopting those can help to communicate in English with local people. Not everyone in a culture will be able to speak just like the people in English-speaking countries.Cross-cultural empathy and conflict resolution
Empathy plays an important role in learning English. It will help you to see things from different perspectives. Conflict resolution occurs due to differences in expectations and norms.
Use of vocabulary
Culture plays a vital role in the meaning of some words. For example, the sentence, "Dressed in white, the girl approaches in tears." In Western culture, it is assumed that the girl will get married soon and the tears are due to the joy she is feeling. But in the Chinese culture, it may mean that the girl is mourning the death of her loved one. You will find many words in English that are borrowed from other cultures. These words, called the 'loanwords' have improved the English language by expanding its vocabulary.Culture affects the meanings of words
Culture may define if the meaning of a word is positive or negative. For example, the word 'jealous' in Greek means 'to be in a warm state' which gives a positive meaning. But in the Swedish culture, the same word has a negative connotation; it means illness. The slang words that people use reflect cultural trends. Sometimes, its syntax can reflect cultural beliefs.Teachers should include films, magazines, and other learning materials when teaching the English language. If the children are introduced to the English language in an environment, they learn the second language comfortably. If the teachers can give examples from real-life scenarios, the brain will be able to hold the information longer.
Language structure
It is affected by cultural values and norms. For example, a culture may have different language structures to show politeness.Traditions and rituals
These are embedded in the language usage. In different cultures, unique greetings are used during festivals.Language evolves parallelly with culture. Changes in society, like technological and political change influence the making of new words and phrases. Due to technological innovations, cultural gaps in the English learning process are reduced. New words are also introduced. The students can connect with native speakers online on various platforms. Culture has a huge impact on English language learning. This poses opportunities as well as challenges. It is necessary to find the right approach to integrate cultural understanding with language learning skills.
