Cultural Background Knowledge In English Teaching

Cultural background knowledge in English teaching arose in eighties of the twentieth century. It has been closely linked with the reformation and open in China. Cultural background knowledge is arranged in various kinds of English text books. They makes every effort to teach cultural knowledge during language teaching. In order to have students experience the cultural atmosphere of the English-spoken countries unconsciously. However, at present in English teaching in China, teachers pay more attention to teaching language knowledge while ignore the culture of the target language countries. The author of the article analyzes the breakdown arisen from the cross-cultural communication because of the lack of social customs, values, idea, clothing, food, shelter and transportation and so on in English-spoken countries. Not understanding the cultural background knowledge of the target language countries can effect the practice of language knowledge. The author focuses the article on the significance, goal and approaches of the cultural background knowledge. How to develop the students' cultural consciousness, how to know the behavior and manners of the people in English-Spoken countries and how to make comparison with eastern and western cultures. Through the comparison, we can understand Chinese cultural deeply. Through English study we can know world culture better and develop our world consciousness.