Publication Date

Summer 2012

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

First Advisor

Leslie Turpin

Abstract

Teaching the target language culture has been recently receiving much attention and focus in the fields of second/foreign language teaching. This paper examines the importance of using the learners’ L1 culture as a tool to teach the target language culture. In addition, the paper stresses the idea that the learners develop a dynamic, hybrid identity and space that represents both their L1 and L2 culture. These manifestations are presented in a profound framework that shows the development stages that the learners go through in developing their third spaces by using their L1 culture.

This paper includes four main sections: an introduction, a literature review, a proposed framework and best practices. It also contains interviews with teachers reflecting on their experiences in teaching culture in the classroom in Saudi Arabia. Finally, examples of my personal experiences in the third space dimension are presented in the paper.

Disciplines

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education

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