The Impact of Stereotypes on English Language Teaching and Learning in the Albanian Context

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Pages: 153-165

Abstract:

This article focuses on intercultural education and the negative impact of stereotypes on the teaching and learning of English in Albanian schools. This is demonstrated through an analysis of stereotypes in English textbooks for 9thgrade school students and the impact they have on the learners’ English language acquisition. Today, intercultural education is one of the best ways for creating greater possibilities, for reinforcing common relationship and respect towards different cultures that exist in multicultural societies. Cultural elements are not universal; therefore they cannot be transmitted in an integral way. Stereotypes interfere in this process. What English teachers need to transmit to their students through English textbooks, is the way they can perceive individuals belonging to other cultures, so that not to create wrong stereotypes. Cultural stereotypes are very important and they affect intercultural communication. They are a generalization of a certain culture, but not every group within a culture shares the same perceptions. Foreign language teachers have to deal with many dilemmas; to face stereotypes, or to ignore them? To deal with them directly or to find the proper elements which indirectly make them disappear? In this article, some strategies for challenging stereotypes in English classes are presented. The paper provides an analysis of stereotypes in English textbooks for 3rd-9thgrade students. These teaching resources influence the ideas and concepts that learners have about themselves and about the others. The analysis of stereotypes in English textbooks is done based on referring criteria of texts and illustrations. The characters and their visual representation in textbooks influence the creation of values. A classification of the stereotypes is also proposed. It is noted that intercultural education helps students to develop an understanding of the world in which they live, to get to know other realities, to accept changes positively and to encourage positive attitudes, behaviours and values in order to challenge stereotypes.

Keywords:

stereotype, English textbooks, intercultural education, acquisition process, Albanian context

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