Cultural Awareness and Second Language Acquisition: An Investigation of Thai Learners

Authors

Will Baker

Publication Date

2005-04-01

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify connections between culture, in particular cultural awareness, and second language acquisition (SLA). A number of socio-cultural models of SLA were utilized in the design of the research. Most significantly was the Socio-Education Model (Gardner and MacIntyre, 1993a), which emphasizes the crucial, although indirect, role context and culturally influenced factors play in SLA. A questionnaire was administered to 100 undergraduate English students at a Thai university. The subjects were asked to report on their attitudes and behavior regarding cultural awareness, orientation/motivation, attitudes towards English and Thai culture, people and language, and culturally significant learning strategies. The results provided support for the hypothesis that cultural awareness is a significant aspect of SLA; however no relationship was established between cultural awareness and final learning outcomes. This may be due to the indirect nature of the relationship and the measure of English language proficiency used.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.36.1.2

First Page

39

Last Page

65

Recommended Citation

Baker, Will (2005) "Cultural Awareness and Second Language Acquisition: An Investigation of Thai Learners," PASAA: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.36.1.2
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol36/iss1/4