THE INFLUENCE OF LOCAL CULTURE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING: PERSPECTIVES ON STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS

Abstract

This study aims to explore the influence of local culture in English language learning among students. Based on interviews with a number of participants, it was found that local culture has a diverse impact on the understanding of English materials. Most participants recognized that the integration of local culture, such as vocabulary related to local traditions and customs, made it easier for them to understand English materials. However, there was also a view that the influence of local culture is limited, especially for students who are more accustomed to global culture. The main challenge arises when the learning materials are related to foreign cultures, such as Thanksgiving celebrations, which some students find difficult to understand due to the different cultural contexts. In addition, local dialects and accents also affect students' English pronunciation, which shows the importance of intercultural awareness in language learning. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the English curriculum should integrate more local cultural elements to make it more relevant to students' lives. The use of an intercultural approach that emphasizes understanding of cultural differences is also recommended, to help students connect learning materials to their experiences. Training for teachers on the importance of cultural context in language teaching also needs to be improved. Thus, the results of this study underscore the need for adaptations in English language teaching that take into account the local culture and cultural diversity of students to create a more inclusive and effective learning experience.