Intercultural awareness is increasingly recognised as an essential component of foreign language education. As well as developing skills for intercultural communication, the experience of learning a foreign language invariably modifies learners’ perception of their own language and culture.

This event explores the relationship between culture and English Language Teaching. In what ways is the language learning experience enhanced by cultural understanding? How can intercultural awareness be integrated into the language learning process? What is the place of the learner’s own cultural context in the foreign language classroom? The seminar encourages participants to share ideas and experiences of ways in which language education can raise awareness of cultural similarities and differences, and dispel stereotypes.

Main topics include:

• intercultural communication
• ethnography and school exchanges
• designing the language/culture curriculum
• developing teaching materials
• evaluating and adapting existing materials
• assessing intercultural skills
• teaching young learners
• teacher development.

Who should attend this seminar
The seminar is aimed at English Language Teaching professionals (teachers, teacher trainers, teacher educators, ELT policy makers) with an active interest in, or experience and awareness of, approaches to introducing the intercultural element into ELT programmes. They will currently hold responsibility positions in schools, universities, regional or national educational bodies. It will also be of interest to materials writers, publishers and examiners who are concerned with the interface between language learning and intercultural awareness.