To enhance the academic atmosphere during the covid-19 pandemic and to support our mission in promoting academic and research collaboration among scholars, The American Institute for Indonesian Studies (AIFIS) and Faculty of Teacher Education Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University (UKWMS) will jointly organize a guest lecture on foreign language education and intercultural learning. In this presentation, AIFIS past fellow, Tabitha Kidwell, Ph.D (Professorial Lecturer & Department Associate Chair, World Languages & Cultures, American University, USA), presents the findings from her study in Indonesia on novice Indonesian EFL teachers’ beliefs regarding teaching about culture.
Date: Friday, November 12, 2021 at 8am WIB
SPEAKER
Tabitha Kidwell is a faculty member in the TESOL program at American University. Her research focuses on language teacher education and the role of culture in language teaching. Her recent work has been published in TESOL Journal, Language and Intercultural Communication, and Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. She has taught French, Spanish, and English to students ranging from pre-schoolers to adults, and has conducted professional development for language teachers around the world. Dr. Kidwell has chaired the Standards Professional Council for TESOL International, and is a frequent presenter at regional and international TESOL conferences.
ABSTRACT of the Speaker:
Contemporary perspectives on the global role of English have necessitated new approaches to teaching about culture. Rather than conveying knowledge about the ‘target cultures’ of English-dominant nations, English teachers should help students develop the intercultural competence and awareness needed to engage with the diverse cultures of English worldwide. The objective of this multiple case study was to better understand the beliefs of 14 novice Indonesian EFL teachers regarding teaching about culture. Data sources included: interviews; lesson observations; professional learning community sessions; and journal entries. Data were analyzed through a cross-case analysis that resulted in the classification of participants in two groups: those who associated teaching about culture with the need to protect students from unfamiliar cultures, and those who focused on preparing students for encounters with unfamiliar cultures. An important distinguishing factor between the groups was access to and investment in intercultural learning opportunities. This work highlights the importance of offering intercultural experiences to novice teachers before and during their early careers.
DISCUSSANTS
Yohanes Nugroho Widiyanto, Ph.D. (Head of English Teaching Department, Lecturer of English Education Department, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University)
Mateus Yumarnamto, Ph.D. (Vice Dean for Academic and Students’ Affairs, Faculty of Teacher Education, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University)
MODERATOR
Maria Josephine KS, M.Pd.
