Integrating Audio-visual Aids and Technology into Teaching Culture in the Literature Class: the Case of 2nd Year LMD Level at Ouargla University

Abstract

The present study aims at assessing the awareness of EFL teachers, at the Algerian University, about seeking to improve their teaching materials for teaching culture in the literature class through depending on audio-visual aids and technology. It investigates the place of multimedia facilities in the FL classroom. The unity of visual aids (radio, television, video, and pictures) with ICTs (the computer, the Internet, and e-mail chat rooms) in the EFL classroom can raise the learners’ cultural and linguistic competence. These materials are also effective in teaching literature where the characters behavior, beliefs, and ways of life can be transmitted via films and pictures. In spite of the Algerian teachers’ recognition (as the learners do) of the importance of integrating audio-visual materials and technology into teaching culture in the literature classroom, their use has still remained rather limited. This may result from the lack of time, much effort requirement, being unfamiliar with technology devices, and the complexity of designing a cultural syllabus and choosing appropriate techniques for presenting culture-related topics and activities with these visual materials. Hence, the focus in the future is needed to be made on training teachers in the field of computer science (i.e. teachers have to get a diploma in both English and computer science).