영어교육과 문화

Abstract

ABSTRACT English Education and Culture

Min Yi-sun Advisor : Prof. Hui-jung Jung English Language Education. Graduate School of Education, Chosun University

One of the most important things when we study English is to learn the culture of English-speaking countries. Although it has emphasized by the National Curriculum for many years, I thought it was not enough yet. So, I‘ve decided to examine the way cultural contents (English-speaking countries') are presented in middle school English textbooks based on the guidelines of the revised Seventh National Curriculum, and cultural understandings of students and teachers. Fifteen English textbooks for middles school students were analyzed and two types of questionnaires were administered for this research-one for teachers and the other for students. The findings show us important applications. First of all, the national curriculum has emphasized cultural contents, but teachers and students aren't concerned about them much. Also, they said that it is not easy to find ways to learn cultural things from formal educational institutions and they just rely on the media. The materials from the media could be very useful and various, but it could also be very dangerous if it is not exact. Secondly, most of students and teachers still think that cultures of Inner Circle are more important than other English-speaking countries. They checked the questionnaire that was about the priority among English-speaking countries, and the result proved that fact. The textbooks, however, have not only cultures of Inner Circle but also general cultures. Also, the rate of general cultures is getting more. So, the attitudes of teachers and students to cultural contents should be extended. Lastly, the contents of cultural things should be extended, too. Some contents such as school and family are enough, but other contents such as laws and historical events are insufficient. Therefore, textbook writers should consider this and they should include various cultural contents.