Using World Literatures to Promote Intercultural Competence In Asian EFL Learners

| June 28, 2006
Title
Using World Literatures to Promote Intercultural Competence In Asian EFL Learners

Keywords: cross-cultural communication, ELT, intercultural competence, literature teaching, world literatures

Authors
Derrick Nault
Kwansei Gakuin University Japan

Bio Data
Derrick Nault, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of English at Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Japan. His research interests include international education, cross-cultural communication, and global studies in EFL contexts.

Abstract
The following paper re-examines the place of literature in Asian EFL contexts. Critiquing standard approaches for teaching literature to English learners in Japanese university settings, the author proposes an alternate pedagogical framework for ELT practitioners in Asia based on an interculturalist perspective. Rather than English language acquisition serving as the only goal of instruction with literature, it is suggested that the concept of intercultural competence can also act as an educational aim. Using excerpts from English-language literary works from around the world, the paper describes specific teaching techniques that can improve students’ English abilities while simultaneously enhancing their cross-cultural skills and contributing to their personal growth.
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See pages 132-150

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Category: Main Editions, Volume 8 Issue 2