英语论文网

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Research
With the development of English teaching and research in China, our understandingof the nature of foreign language teaching is also deepening. We are aware of theimportance of cultural knowledge in English learning. Language is the carrier of cultureand language is the tool for communication. Culture controls language and promotes thedevelopment of it, they are inseparable. Teachers are aware of the importance ofcross-cultural communication, many scholars showed a strong interest in culturalintroduction in senior English teaching. English language teaching should be closelyintegrated with cultural introduction. However, teachers pay more attention to thestudents language knowledge, language skills training due to the long-term impact ofexam-oriented education.The overall goal of the language teaching is to develop students’ comprehensivelanguage skills. The formation of comprehensive language skills is based on thedevelopment of language knowledge, emotional attitudes, learning strategies and culturalawareness. In English teaching, culture mainly refers to the history of English countries,including geography, customs, traditional customs, lifestyles, literature and art, behaviornorms and values. To understand the culture of English-speaking countries is helpful tocultivate culture consciousness and to form cross-cultural communication skills. Teachersshould expand the content and scope of cultural knowledge gradually and it should bebased on the characteristics and cognitive ability of students. The cultural knowledge ofthe English-speaking countries should be closely related to the students’ daily life,knowledge structure and cognitive level.
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1.2 Significance of the Research
It’s helpful students learn the language and to improve the cultural sensitivity canmake them understand other cultures with interest and motivation, so that students canstudy in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.Language is an important part of culture and culture has a restrictive and decisiveinfluence on language. If we do not understand the target culture, we can hardlyunderstand the meaning of certain words.It can be seen that the teaching of English cultural knowledge is the key to achievethe goal of language teaching. In turn, the more profoundly and meticulousunderstanding of the history, culture, tradition and custom of the language countries, themore able to correctly understand and accurately use this language.
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2. Literature Review

2.1 Language and Culture
Culture is used to refer to a certain state or habit of mind, and there is a closerelationship between culture and human thought. It can also be used to refer to thegeneral state of knowledge development in a society as a whole, representing the totalityof all kinds of art. By the end of the nineteenth century, culture began to mean material,intellectual and spiritual holistic way of life. At that time, the consensus on the definitionof culture was that culture refers to the sum of material lifestyles and spiritual lifestylesof a particular nation. The study of culture as a whole human way of life is animprovement of the times.Sapir (1978) claims that culture is a complete system of behavior patterns of knownsocial groups, and culture reflects the way of a particular group. It includes everythingthat people think, do and create. Bates and Pl