This graduate-level course examines the role of culture in English language teaching. Students explore foundational frameworks for understanding culture and intercultural communicative competence, critically analyze how culture is represented in EFL materials, and develop skills to design materials that foster intercultural learning.
A central distinction runs throughout the course: between materials that merely contain cultural content and those that are designed to develop intercultural awareness, critical reflection, and a dynamic view of culture in learners. Students will apply course frameworks to evaluate existing materials, engage in critical analysis of AI-generated cultural content, and complete a materials design project supported by a written theoretical rationale.