Cultural Studies and Language Learning: A Research Report

by Michael Byram, Susan Taylor, Veronica Esarte-Sarries

This is an account of a major research project which studies the contribution of foreign language teaching to learners' perceptions of and attitudes towards the people and way of life whose language they are learning. Teaching and learning in the secondary school were investigated by qualitative and quantitative methods over a 3-year period. The analysis models the many intra- and extra-school influences and sources of information and relationship of language teaching to other factors in learners' environment. By comparing these cases with an ideal model of language and culture teaching, the book points the way towards modification and improvement of existing practices.

432 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Michael Byram taught languages in secondary school and adult education. At Durham University since 1980, now emeritus, he has researched the education of linguistic minorities and foreign language education. His most recent book is From Foreign Language Education to Education for Intercultural Citizenship (Multilingual Matters) and he is the editor of the Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning.