Algerian EFL Teachers’ and Students’ Attitudes towards the Integration of Culture in English Language Teaching

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the attitudes of EFL teachers and students at Mohammed Seddik ben Yahia University- Jijel towards the integration of culture in the English language teaching. To achieve this aim, two research assumptions have been formulated: 1) EFL teachers and learners hold negative attitudes towards integrating culture in their classes and their syllabuses ; and 2) EFL teachers and learners at Mohammed Seddik Ben yahia Jijel University believe that focus should be placed on language skills rather than culture as the latter’s role is secondary and not really important. To conduct the investigation, two questionnaires were administered to 6 EFL teachers and 20 students at Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia University-Jijel. The analysis of the data obtained from the two questionnaires revealed that though culture teaching is still marginalized in the English language teaching at the Algerian university, both teachers and students are aware of the pivotal role of culture in the English language teaching, hold positive attitudes towards culture integration the syllabus, and believe that focus should not be placed on language skills only, but should also include cultural content. Thus, the research’s assumptions are disconfirmed.