Culture sensitivity and language learning: a tertiary level scenario

Abstract

This study is concerned with the existing methods and approaches that are in action at the tertiary level. It attempts to assess the suitability of the current methods that are used in different private universities of Dhaka from the perspective of post-methods. In the postmethod era, the traditional methods/approaches are thought to be dead, and a method is only considered suitable when it is context sensitive. Our learners, even after studying English for twelve years, fail to acquire sufficient mastery over English. This may happen because of the somewhat inappropriate choice of methods by the teachers. Many a times, teachers of our country execute a given method without judging the context. As a result, a mismatch between the context and the method being implemented becomes obvious and when the learners come to a university, the mismatch may continue. This study aims to see the present situation and suitability of the methods implemented at tertiary level. In other words, the study aims to find out if the methods are context sensitive. It will provide future researchers a good understanding of the conditions of different methods and approaches. The results of this study can be used to make necessary modifications and enhancements in those approaches. The study uses interviews (semi-structured) to collect data. The findings show that the teachers of private universities in Dhaka make a conscious effort to contextualize features of different methods and approaches and implement them accordingly. At the same time, the teachers need to be aware of a few key issues which the researcher discussed as recommendations, for example, the status of English in Bangladesh, need for local materials, need for "needs analysis" etc. to improve the teaching standard of English of the private universities of Dhaka.