Integrating English Language Culture in the Sudanese Secondary Schools English Language Syllabus And Its Effectiveness In TEFL

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate "Integrating the English Language Culture in the Sudanese Secondary Schools Syllabus & Its Effectiveness on TEFL". Particularly, it attempts to explore three research questions: (1) What are the Sudanese secondary schools teachers' opinions about :(a) integrating English culture in their teaching ? (b) including some cultural topics of the language in Sudanese secondary schools English language syllabus? (c) the useful ways of teaching the target culture? (2) What are the opinions of the undergraduate student teachers' about the culture of English language included in their Bachelor of Education Arts programme? (3) Do English language textbooks (Spine) in Sudanese Secondary schools provide enough target language culture to enhance intercultural communication? To answer these questions a descriptive analytical approach was used. Data has been collected through the following instruments:(1) Two questionnaires, one for Sudanese Secondary School EFL teachers and the other for undergraduate student teachers;(2) interview with staff member of faculties of Education in Sudan, and (3) analysis of the cultural aspects in the Sudanese Secondary School textbooks (Spine 5 and 6). The main findings of this study are:1 - Secondary school teachers' EFL opinions were positive about : (a) integrating English language culture in their teaching ,(b) including some cultural topics of the target language in Sudanese secondary School syllabuses (Spine) ,and (c) the best ways of teaching the target culture. 2- The prospective teachers' opinions were positive about the culture of English language included in their Bachelor of Education Arts programme. 3- Analysis of the textbooks shows the Spine Book series do not provide enough target language culture to enhance intercultural communication. According to the above findings the researcher recommends the following: 1- EFL textbooks designers should pay more attention to the inclusion of some cultural topics of the target language with some cultural topics of the students' native language to enhance intercultural communication in the forthcoming syllabus. 2- To improve the situation of teaching EFL and its culture more attention in the future should be paid to the training of teachers and undergraduate student teachers with knowledge and information of the target language culture and the ways of teaching it . 3- Designers of English syllabuses should include the target language literature, because this will motivate the students and will be useful in developing and enhancing linguistic and cultural knowledge, i.e. The chosen materials should be of modern literature.