Teacher as a Cultural Mediator

Abstract

These times we are living through and everything is changing so rapidly, it is required to prepare students for the 21th century. It is widely accepted that culture is a very important element while learning a foreign language. It is impossible to learn a language without learning its culture. Teachers of foreign languages are indeed the mediators between two different cultures. The obligation of a teacher is not only to teach grammar, vocabulary but as well as helping and instructing students to understand and raise familiarity of the foreign language culture, encouraging learners to reflect on their own culture and other cultures, acquiring skills necessary for a successful communication with individuals of other cultures. Teachers have a crucial role as mediators of language and culture. This paper focuses on foreign language teacher as a cultural mediator. The methodology used is questionnaire with the teachers of secondary and high schools.