The impact of cultural immersion on english language teachers and their teaching in the classroom
Date
2025-02
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Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Abstract
"This study explores the impact of cultural immersion on English language teachers and how such experiences shape their classroom teaching practices. Conducted at a public university in central Mexico offering a bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching, the research utilized in-depth, one-on-one interviews to gather qualitative data from participants who had lived in foreign countries. The findings reveal that accent variation was a common challenge during immersion, occasionally hindering effective communication. However, participants emphasized that being immersed in a different culture significantly enhanced their language skills by allowing them to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in real-world contexts. This experience also boosted their self-confidence and reduced their fear of speaking in English. Additionally, cultural immersion provided opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange, enriching both personal and professional development. Teachers reported that this exposure improved their confidence in the classroom and expanded their worldview, ultimately benefiting their pedagogical approaches. The study concludes that cultural immersion is a valuable component of teacher training, as it deepens linguistic competence and intercultural awareness. Further results and implications regarding teacher development and ELT practices are discussed throughout the thesis".
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