An Exploration of Iranian EFL Practicing and Prospective Teachers Perceptions about the Importance of Familiarity with Target Cultural Attributes

It has long been assumed that language and culture are strongly linked to each other and an important aspect of learning a foreign language is learning its culture. However, teachers in different classrooms in different parts of the world still ignore the importance of EFL learners’ familiarity with target cultural attributes. Regarding the need to investigate culture and culture teaching in different context of foreign language teaching, this study proposes an attempt in an Iranian EFL context by comparing 126 prospective and practicing EFL teachers’ perceptions about the importance of familiarity with target cultural attributes. In particular, this study examines whether significant differences exist between teachers from different experience. The results gathered through an Importance of Cultural Value questionnaire showed that practicing and prospective teachers weredifferent regarding their perceptions about the importance of EFL learners’ familiarity with target cultural attributes. Findings also showed that the practicing and prospective teachers’ perceptions were significantly different according to customs-traditions and religion. The results also indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between male and female practicing teachers’ perceptions about the importance of EFL learners’ familiarity with target cultural attributes. In other words, male practicing teachers showed more positive perceptions about the importance of EFL learners’ familiarity with target cultural attributes. Based on the results, several implications are derived from the study and suggestions are made for future studies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cultural attributes ، prospective teachers ، practicing teachers