Towards a Cross-cultural Approach in Teaching Languages and Applied Linguistics

Abstract

Teaching culture always takes place, whether consciously or unconsciously, while teaching languages. If this is utilised properly, it can successfully combine the advantages of the following: • Learning for fun • The communicative approach • The contrastive approach That is to say, the proper use of culture in teaching can achieve efficient learning through creating interest, fun, and motivation in learners. The researcher suggests employing this approach in teaching an L2/ FL or the different branches of linguistics (specially applied linguistics). The techniques to be employed are based on creating contextualisation through making constant reference to the representation of the cultural aspects in both the NL and the TL (and other languages where possible). This approach can be called, thus, a cross-cultural approach.