The Impact of Culture Teaching on EFL Students’ Cultural Awareness: Case of Master II EFL Students at the University of Tlemcen

Abstract

Language and culture are closely related to each other. Throughout the years, many scholars tried to explain this complex relationship and the importance of the cultural element in English language teaching (ELT). Nowadays, culture teaching has proved its major role as it helps learners to communicate appropriately with native speakers. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effect of culture teaching on students’ cultural awareness. To achieve this goal, a case study was conducted with Master II EFL students at Tlemcen University. A questionnaire for students and a semi-structured interview with teachers were two research instruments used to collect data, and the findings were both quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The results showed that teachers along with students are conscious about the impact of culture teaching on the development of cultural awareness. Furthermore, the results revealed also that the teachers’ role and the techniques used during their lectures are considered as crucial in this process.