The document discusses the intersection of language learning and culture, questioning whether English can be taught devoid of its cultural context, particularly in a globalized society. It explores various themes in English language education, such as critical thinking and the influence of consumer and celebrity culture. Additionally, it outlines suggested goals for English courses that incorporate cultural diversity and the evolving nature of English as a global language.

2. Lindsay Clandfield Luxembourg – Fall 2012
Content, Culture
and Critical
Thinking
in an era of
Global English

4. Can one teach a language without
teaching culture?
Even when that language is a global
one, which not the property of any
one country?

5. International culture-free English?
1. Rosa __________ (live) in an apartment.
2. __________ you __________ (like) chocolate?
3. Every day Sam (go) ____________ to work.
4. They ____________ (watch) televison.
5. _________ she _________ (live) in Spain?
6. We ___________ (not like) rainy weather.

6. International culture-free English?

7. English had become a “technical
language stripped of expressive and
aesthetic characteristics and denuded
of any critical or self-conscious
dimension. You learned English to use
computers, respond to orders, transmit
telexes, decipher manifests, and so
forth. That was all.”
Edward Said, literary theorist and cultural critic
Culture and Imperialism

8. 3 SUGGESTED GOALS OF A GENERAL
ENGLISH COURSE

9. Topic:
Friends and Strangers
Lexis:
people you know, action verbs
Grammar:
present simple review

10. The ‘Challenge Club’ Friends!

11. Paris Hilton's New Best Friend – Reality Show

12. 3 SUGGESTED GOALS OF A GENERAL
ENGLISH COURSE

13. Cult
ltu re
u ral%c
High%Cu a pita
l
sm al l%c
wit h%a%
ul t u re%
C
Culture%with%a%capital%C

14. CONSUMER CULTURE?

15. CELEBRITY CULTURE?

16. How celebrities are used
For cosmetic
reasons
As the subject of the
text or a vehicle for
language to be learnt

17. Cultural Diversity

20. Culture with a Capital C
It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom,
it was the age of foolishness,...
It was the spring of hope,
it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us,
we had nothing before us...

21. Work in pairs. Some people say that this extract
could be about the times we live in now. Do you
agree? Are we living in the best of times and the
worst of times?
Complete the sentences with your own ideas:
It is the best of times because...
It is the worst of times because...

23. Critical Thinking in the
Information Age

24. Higher order and lower order
thinking skills
Lower&order&thinking:& Higher&order&
receive& thinking:&
recite& manipulate&&
direct&medium& transform&meaning&
trasmit&knowledge& solve&problems&
reproduce&knowledge& construction&
uncertainty&
environments&&&
opportunities&

25. conference!
seminar!
workshop!
teacher!
ideas!
university!
!

28. Facts vs Opinions
It is the 49th state of the USA.
The capital is Juneau.
It is a great place.
The name Alaska means “great
land”.
The people are the friendliest in
the world.
The coldest temperature
recorded was -62ºC.
Cold weather in Alaska is nicer
than in other places.

29. The%FACTS%about%national%lotteries
The%English%word%lottery%comes%from%the%Dutch%word%loterij,%
which%is%derived%from%the%Dutch%word%lot,%meaning%fate.
Lotteries%exploit%poor%people.%Families%with%low%incomes%often%
spend%more%on%the%lottery%than%families%with%high%incomes.%
Lottery%projects%have%been%quite%valuable%as%a%source%of%funds%for%
many%government%projects.%National%lotteries%in%different%
countries%have%funded%major%projects%in%the%arts,%education%and%
health.

30. Critical thinking and language work:
Conditionals

31. Looking critically at language:
The passive

32. Critical thinking in Images

33. 3 SUGGESTED GOALS OF A GENERAL
ENGLISH COURSE

34. Global Voices

35. Workplace English and jargon
English and advertising
Indian English
Why is English a global language?
English place names
Caribbean English
Global English: English and food words
A world of
Canadian English
material for
lessons Three circles of world English
Language play
South African English

36. 3 SUGGESTED GOALS OF A GENERAL
ENGLISH COURSE

38. Winner of the 2010 ESU Book Award
“Ground>breaking&and&
ambitious”&&
“A&landmark&course&in&
English&language&teaching”&&&
“Stylish,&sophisticated&and&
mature”&&
“Comprehensive&content&
which&treats&learners&and&
teachers&with&respect”&

39. Winner of the 2010 ESU President's
Award
“Stood&head&and&shoulders&
above&the&Eield”&&
“Imagination&in&the&range&of&
exercises&and&good&use&of&
current&digital&techniques”&&&
&
“Rich&in&good&content&and&
effective&in&the&variety&and&
Elexibility&of&learning&
options”&&