Cultural Representation in EFL Courses for the Secondary Stage from Palestinian Teachers' Perspectives
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Abstract
The study sought to elicit teachers' perspectives on the representation of cultural facets in English for Palestine 11th &12th courses. The researchers utilized mixed methods to accomplish goal of the study. The sample was purposeful, consisting of (100) male and female secondary English teachers from the governorates of Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm. The researchers utilized two tools in collecting the needed data: a content analysis to recognize the cultural elements included in English textbooks for the secondary level, and a questionnaire to highlight the level of teachers' cognizance of cultural aspects revealed in English courses. The two instruments have been used in the study during the first semester of the academic year (2021-2022). The findings linked to cultural aspects revealed in the textbooks are national history, national geography, moral education, religious knowledge, political knowledge, health concerns, economic acquaintances, socialization, national identity, and social interaction. It is found that teachers have a high level of cultural awareness. We recommend that English teachers attend training seminars on incorporating cultural elements into English textbooks for professional development. Correspondingly, the Ministry of Education should hold workshops to assess cultural aspects in English textbooks.
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