Intercultural Communication and English Teaching

Intercultural Communication and English Teaching

Abstract:This article talks about the relation between intercultural

communication and English teaching, the importance of cultivating the knowledge of

intercultural communication while teaching English, and some methods to let students

develop the consciousness of intercultural communication.

Keywords:intercultural communication English teaching communicating skill

ⅠIntroduction

For a fairly long time, English learning is very popular in china, but it’s not easy

to learn another language under the Chinese cultural environment and Chinese

learners are likely to use English in Chinese pattern. “We two who and who” (咱俩谁跟谁), “You give me stop” (你给我站住). It’s funny and may be a little exaggerating,

but it shows the English of Chinese pattern, i.e. “Chinglish”. Apart from this, people

may make such and such mistakes while communicating with English-speakers

because of different cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural communication (or Cross-cultural communication) refers to the

communication between native speaker and non-native speaker or the communication

between any peoples under different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The different

natural, material, social and religious environments of different nations lead to

different linguistic habits, natural conditions, social customs and so on. People under

different backgrounds will interpret and understand the same discourse with their own

ways which may arise some linguistic conflicts and obstacle. So it is necessary to

know the different cultural backgrounds during intercultural communication.

Ⅱ English learning in China

English as a subject has existed in China for a long time, but in fact English is

mainly taught as a common subject in China. Teachers are busy teaching grammar

and students are busy learning the grammar and preparing for the exam. Students are

not able to open their mouths and communicate with each other, so it is of little

meaning to learn English.

Knowing that English as a language is a tool of communication, it is teachers’

duty to cultivate students’ intercultural consciousness and help them know the cultural

backgrounds, natural conditions, and living habits of the foreign countries.

ⅢIntercultural communication and English teaching

It is undeniable that students can learn more native English if they have more

chance to talk with native English speakers. By this way, students can not only learn

basic skills, but can also share the foreigners’ experience of communicating with

people under different cultural backgrounds. However, foreigner teachers are not

enough for all the English learners actually, so other measures should be taken to a

large range. By implanting cultural tips into basic skills learning, teachers enable

students to know the differences between Chinese culture and English culture and

enhance their consciousness of intercultural communication.

1.Intercultural communication and reading skill learning

First, it is doubtless that reading more can improve students’ English learning,

but reading does not mean pronouncing every word only. Unfortunately a lot of

students just read every word out without knowing the meaning of what they are

reading, not to mention knowing the underlying meaning of what they are reading.

Reading is not so simple as it appears. English reading materials are written according

to English custom, so there is a lot of underlying knowledge. To understand the

English materials clearly and truly readers not only need know the language but also

the custom, culture, religion and so on. When the material is about American country

music, teachers can introduce the history and some singers (John Denver, Carpenter);

or play some songs of this kind, e.g. Country Road Take Me Home, Yesterday Once

More in order to let students learn more about American country music. In this case,

students will show more interest in English class, and obviously the class can not only

be livelier but the students can also enhance their knowledge variously and actively.

2.Intercultural communication and speaking skill learning

Second, a language can take two forms: writen form and spoken form. Spoken

form can be seen easily in the daily life, and communication takes the spoken form

more, so the knowledge of intercultural communication reflected on speaking should

be paid more attention to. According to the western custom, the income must not be

asked; the age of the females must not be asked and so on. There is a saying in

English: A man’s home is his castle. That means that a man’s home is sacrosanct and