The Importance of Intercultural Communication in English Teaching
surfing the internet、communicating with foreigners and performing role-play.
It is well know that vocabulary plays a very important role in language learning because it is the essence of a language. Therefore, in order to master a language, it is necessary for language learners to learn vocabulary well. But in fact, it seems difficult for most of them to achieve the goal: They are always troubled in the comprehension of English words, which are culturally different from Chinese ones. Not only is word a kind of language symbol, but it is also possesses many complex cultural meanings. Culture influences the production, usage and development of the word’s meaning under the situation of intercultural communication. Words in every language, particularly the content words and idioms, are culturally bound. So for Chinese students who learn English as a foreign language must learn vocabulary well to assure their foreign language well.
Role-play is an interactive activity which emphasizes the combination of language and culture in intercultural communication and involves students in some simulated scenes of daily life involving culture differences, such as interviewing, making an appointment on the phone, giving a present, renting a flat, and so on. Role-play, as a form of language output, can reveal learners’advantages and disadvantages in expressing their ideas through the target language in practice. As a student-centered form, it offers opportunities for students to show themselves, which results in their interest in learning English. In one word, role-play provides learners with the opportunity to examine, understand and acquire knowledge which will assist and better facilitate intercultural communication. This type of communicative task will help learners experience knowledge about various cultures and improve their understanding
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The Importance of Intercultural Communication in English Teaching
of other cultures.
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The Importance of Intercultural Communication in English Teaching
References
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