A Case Study On Traditional Chinese Culture Teaching In English Classroom In One Senior High School

Based on English Curriculum Standards for Senior High School（2017）revised in 2020,the education of traditional Chinese culture is an urgent demand for national development and an actual requirement of English teaching in senior high school.With the reference to traditional Chinese culture and cultural teaching,this study tries to discuss two research questions: Firstly,what categories of traditional Chinese culture are presented in English lessons in the Tianjin Senior High School.Secondly,how English teachers utilize traditional Chinese culture based on the textbooks to promote their teaching.A qualitative approach,classroom observation is adopted at first to analyze traditional Chinese cultural teaching contents and teachers’ instructions.Six real English lessons from Grade One in Tianjin Senior High School are chosen as subjects.Results of the observation data reveal that: traditional life style and art are mainly presented in English lessons,which contains traditional food,festivals,living habits and poetry;teachers mainly use explicit ways to represent culture and various methods in cultural teaching;although there are several comprehensive language use activities designed for students,few peer and group activities cannot provide an active learning environment.Another qualitative method,interview is employed to know about teachers’ opinions towards traditional Chinese cultural teaching and exam the possible causes of current problems.Six English teachers,who have delivered the observed classes participate in the interview.The interview results show that due to teachers’ insufficient perception of traditional Chinese cultural teaching,inappropriate use of teaching materials,and limited teaching time and students’ ability,English lessons cannot achieve the ultimate goal of cultivating students’ cultural awareness.These results suggest that teachers should be advised to value traditional Chinese cultural teaching,deepen the understanding of traditional Chinese culture,use the textbook reasonably and reflect cultural teaching consistently.Besides,educational authorities should timely deliver lectures,conduct seminars,provide guidance for teachers and set up school-based curriculum related to traditional Chinese culture.